The western press in general and American media in particular has unleashed nefarious propaganda against the security of Pakistans nuclear programme, particularly with reference to the post-earthquake disaster in Japan. A US Congressman has called for a moratorium for checking the safety measures of the nuclear plants elsewhere in the world, particularly mentioning Pakistans nuclear programme, which is in no way a right step at the right time.
This emphasises the need for reviewing the security measures taken by the respective countries including the USA. Pakistan must also be cognizant of its nuclear installations security measures, particularly amidst the already ongoing lethal propaganda. Although right from the Obama administration down to a common official of the US State Department have expressed their satisfaction over the security arrangements of Pakistans nuclear weapons as to date no untoward incident has ever occurred while a number of incidents of theft, security breach, leakages and radiation have taken place in many countries including the USA, Russias Chernobyl, India and now Japan after the unprecedentedly massive earthquake.
Pakistan, in the face of threat from its hostile neighbour, is only maintaining a minimum deterrence. Hence the propaganda is baseless, out of question and only aims at building pressure on Pakistan. This is what they are doing to force Islamabad to succumb to signing the FMCT. Pakistan must also take appropriate safety measures particularly in the light of Naval chiefs statement that a Tsunami of similar magnitude can endanger Karachis nuclear power plant. The Obama administration vows to make the world nuclear-free but at the same time Washington has given an open license to India to produce the nuclear weapons which is a non-signatory of the NPT. The world media must expose the double standards towards weaker nations and treat Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state.
MARYA MUFTI
Lahore
