Allah o Akbar: The Memories
The lights on Chaghi’s model near Faizabad fluover commemorating this day when Pakistan became nuclear power.
A decade down the lane already. I remember when the news arrived that Pakistan has successfully tested Nuclear Bombs; people were of two views. Happier lot and the ones fretting over deteriorating economy and condition of awaam. Still, at large we were hopeful and happy. The next year Nawaz Sharif, the then prime minister, asked Pakistanis to take part in naming the day. Since online option existed too (and there was a good good prize money :~) ), I particpated too. Didnt get the prize, still got Nawaz Sharif’s signed letter of thanks. He was not in my good books then. Yaum e takbeer, it was named.
A decade gone and we haven’t moved much. Forward not at all; backward probably yes. When I look around I see frustration. People cannot feed their kids milk, eggs, meat, pulses, fruits and even vegetables. Wheat is already short. And in these circumstances if I get to read family suicidal news, I’m not shocked. Suicide is haraam in Islam. But Islam lead towards a welfare state … that is far-fetched dream still. And when I look further, I see on roads of Islamabad young boys holding cigars and cigarettes, thumping deck of their Porsche and Convertible BMWs. Obviously hard-earned by their fathers … the stark comparison STUNS me. I can whine at heart; in act probably I’m part of this corrupt tale.
I hope teh end I’m seeing is not a dead-end. Inshah Allah!
‘hard-earned by their fathers…"
Don’t think so buddy. That sort of money generally comes quite easy…through corruption!
In my view, the decision to go nuclear by Zulfi Bhutto was probably necessary due to the geo-political reality of the 70’s. However, sheray-Punjab’s mindless decision to blow up that poor mountain range led to the economic devastation of the country and is probably the reason why today more than half the country is struggling to eat and have electricity. Too many generations have paid the price of stupid decision made stupid people. We really need a revolution in our country to rid ourselves of…
1) Illiterate Mullahs
2) Eternally corrupt Politicians
3) Lazy army
4) Useless feudals
Without the above, our country will breathe again.
For this very reason, the hard earned was emphasized :)
"The lights on Chaghi’s model near Faizabad fluover commemorating this day when Pakistan became nuclear power."
please correct the spelling
Thanks
Concept tu hay naa =))
Editing is tiresome … sigh sigh!!
Thanks though :)
Do you guys remember that guy shouting Allah o Akbar in a very very shrill voice in the background when the explosion was being shown on TV? That was so very funny :D It was like a really old lady screaming Allah o Akbar in ecstasy! Hehehe.
I agree with the last four points of azface, only. The decision to go nuclear was very important at that time. stratigic balance in the region is important. We are facing its results is another factor. The whole world is going though this power cricis, we are among the top ones.
View this webpage it has some nice information about Nuclear Power Countries…
Asma very nice POST !!
Peace
Which webpage wkhang?
@ emran,
Sorry dude I forget to put link in it, here you go …
http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/index.html
http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/pakistan/nuke/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_states_with_nuclear_weapons
peace
sorry emran,
http://www.nti.org/e_research/profiles/index.html
a must read column by JC
http://express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1100415809&Issue=NP_LHE&Date=20080529
kar_munib
Interesting take in your article by JC. In my view which is probably what most Pakistanis have, is that Qadeer Khan has been made the country’s biggest scapegoat for the illegal activity of the Pakistan military/govt.
The establishment must have threatened the professor with death for him to stay quietly under house arrest for so long. It is yet another sad tale in the history of our nation.
crazymonkey actually I wrote the title coz of that Allah o Akbar :)
Emran I wonder why are we not thinking of producing nuclear energy?? Electricity? About time we focus on such projects.
wkhang Thanks and nice link!
MB Thanks for sharing.
Azface Apart from what’s happening to Dr. AQ Khan currently, are we brave enough to give credits to people like Dr. Mubarakmand and his team? Why we always forget to give them due credit?
Yes I wonder why we are still planning to make DAMs for electricity. I think we should think about the alternatives. Look at this site. NIce Information :)
http://www.paec.gov.pk/kanupp/kanupp-index.htm
@A for [pine]Apple:
Let me clarify that I am not prepared to give any credit to anyone out there involved in the design and manufacture of missiles aimed at taking human life. To me, most of these scientists are puppets with strings pulled by the establishment. I can’t understand why we can’t be like Singapore or Dubai with focus on world class talent, trade and commerce as opposed to the best nuclear weapons.
I hate to say this but any glorification of weapons to me is a sign of disregard for human life and a lack of commitment to true peace.
Ever heard of a concept called passive resistance? We can learn a thing or two from leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma.
Hate begets hate so give peace a chance.
@A for [pine]Apple:
Oh just wanted to say the latter part of my previous post if not aimed particularly at you but in general :)
i think that atomic explosion was necessary. We were not that bad after explosion. This has all happened due to musharaff’s cheap policies.
I remember that prices went a bit higher but it was not like today AT ALL.
I love my pakistan
Interesting read for Pakistanis
http://www.mypakistan.com/?p=1011
Long live AQKhan and every body at PAEC.
The day when Pakistani students living abroad and Pakistanis working abroad were proud to be Pakistani, yes WE ARE PAKISTANI.
[…] Allah o Akbar: The Memories chaghi-memories.jpg. The lights on Chaghi’s model near Faizabad fluover commemorating this day when Pakistan became nuclear power. A decade down the lane already. I remember when the news arrived that Pakistan has successfully tested … […]