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Pakistan successfully test fires Hataf-III Ghaznavi missile

• Country size has become meaningless after missile tests: Gen. Aziz
• Pakistan wants peace but ready for war: Musharraf
• President congratulates nation on successful test of Ghauri missile
• Test of Hatf-V shows effectiveness of missile technology: Nisar Memon
• Pakistan successfully test fires Ghauri SSM
• Pakistan to conduct missile tests between May 25-28
• Border situation not a cause of missile testing: Nisar Memon

Pakistan successfully test fires Hataf-III Ghaznavi missile

ISLAMABAD, May 26 (APP)- Pakistan Sunday carried out  successful test fire of its newly developed short range surface to surface  ballistic  missile Hataf-III (Ghaznavi), as a part of missile tests currently  underway. This was announced by the Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) in a press release. It said : " This was the first test of the Ghaznavi missile which is capable of carrying warheads accurately upto a range of 290  Kms." The ISPR announcement said : "The flight data collected indicated that all design parameters have been successfully validated." The successful test fire of the indigenously developed Ghaznavi is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication and  professional excellence of Pakistani scientists and engineers. President General Pervez Musharraf has congratulated the team of officers and men of their outstanding success.

Country size has become meaningless after missile tests: Gen. Aziz

KARACHI, May 26 (APP): Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee,General Aziz Ahmad Khan has said that question of the country size had become meaningless after successful conduct of series of missile tests by Pakistan and its defence had become impregnable. According to an ISPR release here, he was addressing scientists, research scholars and administrative workers after successful firing of Ghaznavi missile on Sunday, which is a short range missile, capable of taking its warhead upto 290 kilometres accurately. He congratulated all scientists and those associated with  the project whose years-long tireless efforts had resulted in strengthening the defence of country.

General Aziz who was present in the monitoring room alongwith Corps Commander Lieut General Tariq Waseem Ghazi and other senior scientists, engineers and military officers, describing technical details of the test said the missile's take-off was perfect, re- entry stage was excellent and target impact was highly accurate.

Chairman JCSC said mere presence of any weapon was not enough, it was a dedicated team comprising selfless and tireless workers,  who formed deterrence for defence of the country and Pakistan was proud of having many such teams.

Concentration of troops on our borders and coercive attitude by any power could not frighten the valiant Armed Forces of Pakistan whose soldiers were more keen to embrace martyrdom than saving Their lives, General Aziz Khan said.

Pakistan wants peace but ready for war: Musharraf

ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf said Saturday Pakistan is ready for war and "no one should be mistaken about it." "We do not want war, but we are neither scared of it," he told an august gathering of ulemma and Mushaikh at the inaugural session of the National Seerat-ul-Nabi Conference here to mark Eid-e- Milad un Nabi (Peace Be Upon Him). Referring to the standoff between Pakistan and India, the President said, the country is passing through a critical phase. But he was confident, Pakistan will surmount the crisis with success and honour. Commenting on the Indian reaction to today's missile test of Hataf-V (Ghauri) where the Indians said; "We [Indians] were not impressed by these missiles," the President said:" We do not want to impress you, we are showing our defence [capabilities]." They [Indians], he stated, talk of giving two weeks or two months time [to Pakistan]. "We are not impressed by such talks either," he said among thundering applause. Gen. Musharraf said the entire world reckons Pakistan as a power but there is a need to ensure internal cohesion and show unity. "This is a power." He called for keeping the national interest supreme and foremost above every other thing.

The President regretted about those who write or talk without realizing their negative impact on the country, "This is really heart-breaking for any patriotic citizen." He said, such irresponsible talks do not inflict any personal harm but damage the country and this realization should be brought home. The President said it was the responsibility of the Government to take people along and respect their sentiments while taking any decision of national importance. "But when the Government takes such a decision in line with the nation's ideologies, it becomes incumbent upon the entire nation to support and strengthen that decision." President Musharraf said, no government can function with every individual taking his own course and creating  disagreements. "With so many groups and people around, views are bound to differ," said the President but added, this was not a time to advance personal discord by not supporting the government at the national level. The President said, at times, one is required to prefer national interest over personal or ideological interest and today is exactly a time to demonstrate such a responsible behavior.

"We need internal stability, we need political and economic consolidation," the President stated. Referring to the recent Karachi blast, he said, it has damaged the country from every aspect, specially economically. "Unless we have a unity in our ranks to fight such extremism, these things will continue to happen," he added. He made it clear no one from outside will be allowed to involve in such actions, irrespective of which organization or country, they belong to. "Whether from religious or non-religious organizations and working for any cause, not that of Pakistan, they are not allowed to create disorder in the country." "We need to first strengthen ourselves," he emphasized. The President also called for creating sectarian harmony in the country. "Everyone is entitled to his own thinking but it is wrong to impose one's thinking on others." He said, if someone wants to influence anyone's thinking, he should do it by setting personal example and they will follow. "The need is to put personal interest behind and move forward."

"I made every effort to promote unity in the country,' the President said and while alluding to his last national address, stated that he kept aside his personal differences and spoke about those things that promoted solidarity. Referring to the process of nation-wide consultation, Gen. Musharraf said he invited all political parties in the best national interest while setting aside his personal differences. But he regretted that few people did not attend the meeting that was convened to ensure and protect national interest.

President General Pervez Musharraf said despite his personal disagreement and opinion, he invited all politicians in the best national interests. He said he is again inviting those people who did  not attend the previous meeting. He said some persons had asked him to re-invite these people and he has no reservation in this respect. The President said, "you want elections, democracy, I guarantee you that elections will be held, real democracy will come, elections will be held before October 12, 2002." It (elections, democracy) may be your (politicians) objective but at this critical juncture, Pakistan is important, he said and cautioned against any harm to the country in pursuit of democracy.

President congratulates nation on successful test of Ghauri missile

ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf Saturday congratulated the nation on successful test of indigenously made latest missile 'Ghauri'. Prior to his address to 'National Seerat Conference' here the President said, "I want to congratulate all my brothers and sisters and Pakistanis wherever they are." He said Pakistan has successfully tested latest missile 'Ghauri' which was developed by the Pakistani scientists. The President also congratulated the scientists and technical people who were involved in this project. Chairman NESCOM Sammar Mubarikmand, Chairman PAFC, Pervez Butt and Chairman KRL Javed Arshad Mirza worked in harmony, the President said adding that credit for it goes to Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed. "We are proud of our scientists"  he said.

Hataf-V marks third successful test of Ghauri Missile system ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): The successful test fire of Hataf-V Surface-to-Surface medium range Missile on Saturday by Pakistan marks the third test of the Ghauri series. Pakistan had carried out first test of the missile range in 1998 with successful launch of Gahuri, whereas its arch-rival India began missile development programme way back in 1983. According to the data compiled through various sources, on May 12 1998, India carried out nuclear tests and on May 28 Pakistan successfully tested its nuclear capability. In April 1998, India tested the nuclear-capable Agni-II with a range of around 2,500 kilometres.

Pakistan's scientists to seek results about their research in 1999, carried out tests of Ghauri-II missile, with a range of 1,500 kilometres, and Shaheen missile with 800 kilometres range. In February 2000, Pakistan test-fired a short-range Hatf-I surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a reach of upto 100 kilometres. in Sept 2001, India tested medium range Surface to Air missile Akash.

On January 25 2002, India test-fired intermediate Agni-I missile with a range of 700 kilometres. In April 2002, India tested a supersonic cruise missile, known as Brahmos, jointly developed with Russia. The missile has a range of 300 kilometres (186 miles) and can carry a payload of 200 kgs. In addition to the Agni (Fire) series, India has already inducted the Prithvi (Earth) missile, a more cumbersome, fixed-silo delivery system with a maximum range of 250 kilometres. India has also tested a Trident short-range surface-to-air missile. India's Prithvi with the range of 150-250 Km capable of carrying payload of 100-500 kgs was launched on February 25, 1988 and is operational since 1995. It's Agni missile with the range of 2500 Kms with the payload of 1000 kg was launched in May 1989 and is operational since 2000. There are reports that India is also working on other missiles like Sarika with a 250-300 kms range, Dhanush with 300 to 350 Kms range and Surya with 12,000 kms range.

Test of Hatf-V shows effectiveness of missile technology: Nisar Memon

ISLAMABAD, May 25 (APP): Information Minister Nisar Memon Saturday said the successful flight test of Hatf-V has reinforced the effectiveness and technical excellence of Pakistan's indigenous missile technology. Talking to PTV, he said it also shows the first rate professionalism and dedication of the country's scientists and engineers. He said "tests are in fact the technical requirement and therefore we decided to carry them out." Pakistan has informed and notified to all its neighbours including India about the missile tests.

Pakistan successfully test fires Ghauri SSM

ISLAMABAD, May 25, (APP): Pakistan today carried out a successful test fire of its indigenously developed medium range surface to surface ballistic missile Hatf-V (Ghauri). According to Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), this was the third test of the Ghauri missile system. According to the data collected from the test, all design parameters have been successfully validated. The Ghauri SSM can carry its warheads with great accuracy.

The successful flight test has reconfirmed the effectiveness and technical excellence of Pakistan's indigenous missile technology as well as the first rate professionalism and dedication of its scientists and engineers. The President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf has congratulated the scientists, engineers and all others involved with the programme on their outstanding success which is a source of pride for the nation. The series of tests are a part of the research and development of Pakistan's indigenous missile programme, which is an essential element of Pakistan's policy of maintaining minimum deterrence in the interest of our security. It demonstrates Pakistan's determination to defend itself, strengthen national security and consolidate strategic balance in the region. It may be recalled that Pakistan had not tested a major missile system since April 99 and had demonstrated utmost restraint over the past three years. Our policy will continue to be governed by restraint and responsibility and such tests will only be conducted when technically needed. In a spirit of transparency and as a confidence building measure, Pakistan had given prior notification of the test to its neighbours as well as important countries. 

Pakistan to conduct missile tests between May 25-28

ISLAMABAD, May 24 (APP)- Pakistan has informed neighbouring countries of its plans to conduct missile tests between 25th and 28th this month, an official spokesman said here Friday. "These are routine tests and are conducted as part of technical requirements," he stated. He said, Pakistan has also informed India of the prospective tests and has emphasized that these are in no way related to the current situation existing between the two countries. The details of the tests to be conducted are to be intimated later, he added.

Border situation not a cause of missile testing: Nisar Memon

ISLAMABAD, May 24 (APP): Information Minister Nisar Memon Friday said Pakistan will carry out missile tests due to technical requirement and not because of the prevalent situation at the borders. Talking to BBC television, he said, "Pakistan will test missiles for its technical requirement." He said we have notified all the neighbours including India that we will be carrying series of missile tests. It has absolutely nothing to do with the present situation at the borders and the dispute with India. This is just normal, he added. To another question he said, India has carried out about 10 to 12 missile tests in the last three years but Pakistan did not respond to it during that time. When asked about the type of missiles, he said technical details of the tests will be released later. It is suffice to say that we are carrying the tests for technical requirement and it is absolutely not in response to Indian activity, he added. Pakistan tested missiles including Shaheen and Ghauri in April 1999 and after that it has no requirement to carry out any further testing, he reminded. "But now we have a requirement and we are doing this for our defense and not for offensive purposes," Nisar Memon added. Responding to a question, he said India can carry out test so long it is properly notified as is done in missile testing. It is their country and their programme and we will not interfere in their internal affairs nor we will politicize it. It will be appropriate if nobody should politicize testing or try to make an event out of it, he added.