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Pakistan does not harbour any pretensions to regional or global power status: Gen. Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, May 29 (APP)- Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf Sunday said, Pakistan was compelled to go nuclear to ensure credible minimum nuclear deterrence and urged the scientists to accept the challenge of achieving a sustainable socio-economic development of the country. He was addressing a galaxy of scientists, agriculture experts and scholars and students of science and technology, on the occasion of the second anniversary celebrations of 'Yaum-e-Takbeer' in commemoration of May 28 nuclear detonation by Pakistan following Indian nuclear tests which upset the regional balance of power. Pakistan, he said, had exercised a great restraint in its nuclear programme and shown respect for international norms and resisted the temptation to conduct nuclear blasts a decade ago. He said, the purpose behind Pakistan's nuclear detonations were to protect its security and national integrity. "However, we are not in an arms race in the region," he stressed. Gen. Musharraf said that Pakistan tested its nuclear device to restore the strategic balance and deter aggression. "Our experience would tell us that no outside power could protect us against a belligerent India," he said, adding, these nuclear tests were in the supreme national interest. In this connection, he referred to the "unique consensus" for the nuclear tests by the Pakistani nation, which entertained the spirit that no evil eye be cast on Pakistan. Unlike India, Pakistan had observed restraint and "does not harbour any pretensions to regional or global power status." The rationale under-pinning our nuclear pursuits has been purely security-driven. But, we are committed to a policy of responsibility and restraint. While maintaining a credible minimum nuclear deterrence, we refuse to enter a nuclear arms race and instead seek stability in the region. We are not in a race, we are only concerned with the minimum nuclear deterrence quantified as such in accordance with our wisdom. He said, Pakistan has offered India a nuclear restraint regime, but did not get a positive response to its offer. While reiterating the offer, he said, the international community must take notice of Pakistan's overture. However, Pakistan's nuclear deterrence capability must not be under-rated, he added. The Chief Executive said, we want a just and equitable solution of Kashmir dispute which is a source of conflict and tension between the two countries. He, however, said, the last two years had shown that nuclear capability cannot ensure economic and social emancipation of a nation. He said, we have to attain an all-round national development by achieving progress in science and technology.

Gen. Musharraf said, "to avoid accidental nuclear war, Pakistan has proposed a nuclear restraint regime, but unfortunately India," had not responded to it positively. While reiterating the offer, he called upon the international community to must take notice of if. He said, Pakistan's stand by its offer of dialogue with India for a just and equitable solution of the Kashmir dispute. He, however, cautioned that Pakistan's offer must not be construed as a sign of weakness. Lauding the role of nuclear scientists like Dr.A. Q. Khan, Ishfaq Ahmed and Dr.Samar Mubarkmand, he said, "It was their supreme patriotism and devotion to duty that allowed Pakistan become a nuclear power." The nation rightly acknowledged their singular contribution in making Pakistan self-reliant in the nuclear technology and the seventh nuclear power. "If Pakistan can be proud of, it is our success in the field of nuclear technology," he said, adding, "I salute the scientific calibre of these topmost scientists." In this context, he praised the contribution of PAEC, KRL and NDC. Pakistan, he said, had to go nuclear to establish nuclear deterrence through a matching response. He said, Pakistan is not in any arms race." We are only concerned with nuclear vigilance and deterrent against any aggression," he said. Gen. Musharraf said he would not like a billion people of Asia to suffer under a constant conditions of abject poverty, disease and backwardness coupled with a perpetual potential danger of nuclear holocaust. About social emancipation, he said, Balochistan, Sindh and southern regions of the Punjab were recently facing drought conditions and urged the scientists to take it as an immediate challenge. He said, the international agencies have been warning of water shortage conditions and invited attention of the scientists and experts to concentrate on tapping water sources. Environmental degradation, water-logging and low agricultural output, rapid urbanization and shortage of fossil fuel, he said, were Pakistan's other problems. "We must not be left behind due to lack of imagination and lack of commitment of the planners and our scientific community, in duly tackling our socio-economic problems," he added.

Gen. Musharraf said his Government recognized the vital importance of science and technology for the cause of socio-economic uplift of the country. He referred to the solid steps taken by his Government recently in this regard. He said, the National Commission of Science and Technology, which had not met since past ten years, is scheduled to hold a meeting shortly. Chief Executive said that government has made a substantial allocation of Rs. 15.7 billion for the field of S&T effective from next financial year. He expressed the hope that this amount would be judiciously utilized by the Ministry of Science and Technology for conducting worthy work in the field of promotion of Research and Development (R&D). He praised the expertise and dynamism of Prof. Ataur Rahman, Federal Minister for Science and Technology. He urged for initiating result-oriented projects and expressed his full faith in the ability of Dr. Rahman to deliver on the ground. Gen. Musharraf said that unfortunately there had been brain-drain of Pakistanis due to non-conducive working atmosphere and abject neglect of men with scholarship and expertise. He said, his Government is committed to provide conducive atmosphere for researchers and necessary package of incentives. He said, slow-moving procedures in the bureaucracy be done away with to promote export of valued-added goods. Gen. Musharraf disclosed that a very active consideration is being given to give Ph.D allowance to scientists and allow them import of duty-free machinery for research and development. The facility would also be made available to scientific research institutes. The steps on the anvil, in this context, he stated, would help promote R&D, which could assist in the amelioration of the lot of the people, vital for achieving a sustainable economic growth. "The scientists of Pakistan have made us proud and, I hope, and I am certain, they will make us more proud in the future," he said. His government would certainly help and assist them in acquisition of this task. Those flanking the Chief Executive on the dais included Federal Science and Technology Minister Prof. Ataur Rahman, besides the reputed nuclear scientists Dr.A. Q. Khan, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmed.