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Pakistan celebrate first anniversary of nuclear tests

Against the backdrop of blistering artillery duels and downed Indian aircraft in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, Pakistan today celebrated the first anniversary of its nuclear tests.

''We are celebrating our self-reliance. We are celebrating our security, our self-defence, our scientific and technological achievement -- a genuine achievement which the people of Pakistan can be rightly proud of,'' Information Minister Mushahid Hussein said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Giant posters proclaiming Pakistani scientists as ''nuclear heroes'' emblazoned the tree-lined boulevards of the Pakistani capital.

The state-run television aired special programmes and national leaders in speeches proclaimed Pakistan's defenses invincible. Songs have been written, films produced and torch-lit parades held.

''One year ago this day we broke the shackles of dependence on foreign technology and conducted successful nuclear tests, a distinction enjoyed by only a handful of nations in the world,'' said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief.

Pakistan detonated several nuclear explosions on May 28, 1998 and again on May 30, 1998 in response to several nuclear tests carried out earlier by India.

But not everyone in Pakistan is celebrating.

Demonstrations opposing the celebration have been held by labour groups as well as peace and human rights activists.

In an editorial in the independent daily, The News, Pervez Hoodbhoy, a Physics professor at Pakistan's Quaid-e-Azam University, debunked Pakistan's claims that the nuclear tests symbolised scientific achievement in this poor nation of 140 million people.

''The Pakistani state has declared bombs and missiles as the touchstone of scientific progress ... But it has been able to acquire these without having created an educated society or working science institutions or even attempting to move toward a society where science can ultimately develop,'' Hoodbhoy wrote.

The literacy rate in Pakistan is about 30 per cent, and even lower among women.

Hoodbhoy argued that Pakistan was moving toward a society resembling neighbouring Afghanistan's Taliban regime, where a rigid interpretation of Islam prevents women from working, restricts schooling and day-to-day activities are monitored by the state.

''Curiously the offspring of science, technology has been summoned to serve and defend an increasingly Talibanised Pakistan,'' wrote Hoodbhoy.

But Pakistan's conservative President Rafiq Tarar called the underground nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan necessary ''to restore balance of power in the region ... Weakness invites aggression.''

In his speech marking the anniversary, Tarar urged Pakistan to move toward a ''truly Islamic welfare state'' and called on god to ''bless our efforts to make Pakistan a citadel of Islam.''

UNI

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