By: Rabia Aslam
At present, it is imperative for us to fit in the mind of youth how Pakistan became the only Muslim nuclear state, why it was important to conduct a nuclear test and who was the man behind this success. It should be our moral and national responsibility to remind the youth what could have happened if Pakistan had not acted promptly and in time. The whole world is aware of the fact India would have declared war against Pakistan if Pakistan had not conducted nuclear test because Indian leaders had already stated a threat to attack Azad Kashmir. Twenty-three years back, Pakistan emerged as the only Islamic nuclear State on the map of the world which was an extraordinary achievement in its true sense. Though it was hard pill to swallow, the leaders of the world, today, are adhering to the fact that it was indispensable to balance the power tilt in the region. Had Pakistan not shown its nuclear capabilities, the state would have been living under the supremacy of India fearing an attack all the time. The twenty-four years back generation is all grown up now and has turned into a potential youth. It’s the generation that opened is eyes in a nuclear state. This is why, it’s vital to put in the picture who the people were that strove day and night utilizing all their energies to make Pakistan a stable, safe and threat free nuclear state. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the patron of Pakistan, burnt midnight oil to make Pakistan an undefeatable and unconquerable nuclear state and salute to the political judiciousness of the leaders who provided every possible aid they could. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had to bear the brunt of dreaming to make Pakistan a nuclear state, Zia ul Haq was also martyred in the airspace, even after his demise, political regimes were unable to gain foothold. Benazir’s Bhutto’s endeavors could also bear no fruit. It was in late 90s that Nawaz Sharif showed the mettle of declaring Pakistan 7th nuclear power of the world.
Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan always referred to youth as dynamic and urged them to stop watching useless current affairs shows and start putting their energies into productive initiatives
Late Ishaq Khan stated that in his tenure when he was the in-charge of national treasury, every political leader in power had given him the control over finances when it came to the matter of national defense. These are the few people who made it possible for Pakistan to stand and look right into the eyes of others, especially the neighbouring country, with due amore propre. Though this decision of establishing one’s place as a nuclear power was met with a stern opposition, yet the need of the hour was to guard Pakistan off the imminent threat from the rival country that was a sword of Damocles hanging over the state at every moment. In this time of horn locked situation, though Prime Minister Nawaz Shareef took two weeks to reach a decision but he resolved for the one that was the voice of nation. Within no time, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan put his services at the disposal of state and gave his sweat and blood to make Pakistan an unassailable empire. He could not let Pakistan slip into the hand of slavery once again after independence in 1947. So, it was a historic day when on May 28,1998 Pakistan launched it as an atomic power. The whole country was echoing with the chant of Allah hu Akbar. The people were as happy as they were at the time of independence. They were ready to face any international restrictions imposed on them to pay the price of nuclear test conduction but it was intolerable for them to concede supremacy of such country that was divided on the basis of contradicting ideologies. This was the day that re-translated Pakistan’s history and all the credit goes to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan who made this miracle happen. That is why AQ Khan still lionised as the father of Pakistan’s atomic bomb. Thank you Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan!
The young generation should not forget the sacrifice the great people made to secure their future. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan always referred to youth as dynamic and urged them to stop watching useless current affairs shows and start putting their energies into productive initiatives. He once said in his interview “The youth is 47 percent of this country’s population, they can bring the change.”
The writer is an educationist, content writer, and freelance columnist with nearly more than a decade of experience in the field of education. She is an eloquent commentator on women’s rights, education, peace and interfaith harmony. She can be reached at [email protected]