Pak N assets to come under pressure

FOLLOWING the footsteps of US Presidential candidates, their running mates Sarah Palin, Republican Governor of Alaska, and Joe Biden, the Democratic Senator from Delaware, during their debate at Washington University in St. Louis on Thursday expressed their views on Pakistan’s nuclear programme which could be construed as extremely negative totally ignoring the situation in South Asian region. They bluntly described Pakistan’s nuclear capability as threat to India and Israel thus exposing the mindset in the United States and thinking about an Islamic country.

In their arguments, both candidates likewise agreed that stability in Pakistan was a major concern. While the gorgeous Governor said Pakistan and Iran’s nuclear programmes were threat to world peace, Sen Biden was specific declaring that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal was a threat to Israel and India. These uncharitable assertions are in line with the overall policy of Establishment at the Capitol Hills and it can now be safely said that whoever wins the race in November elections, the world’s sole superpower leader will bring Pakistan under pressure in the next four years over its nuclear programme. To coincide, the United States has reportedly again expressed desire for access to the Father of our nuclear programme Dr A Q Khan. Of course Pakistan has rejected the very idea but in its usual conformist mindset suggested that it was ready to get all the answers from Dr Khan in case the US has any further unanswered questions. The debate between the Vice Presidential candidates and the US demand are clear indications that country’s nuclear programme and Dr A Q Khan are not yet off the hook. Keeping in view the prevalent situation, it is now consensus among analysts that the ongoing turmoil and unrest triggered in the country in the shape of terrorism and extremism is to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and insecurity. The objective is to build a case that Pakistan’s nuclear assets could fall in the hands of rogue elements and IAEA will be asked to demand the handing over of these assets. We are confident that the Government and the Nuclear Command and Control Authority are well aware of these machinations and find a way out so as not to fall in the trap of those against our national assets. In the meantime, we suggest that the Government must take all the political leadership into confidence about these developments so as to come up with a united stance on this vital issue of national survival.