ISLAMABAD — The nation is shocked at whatever is appearing in the press and electronic media about the scientists involved in the nuclear proliferation and having provided secrets thereof to North Korea, Iran and Libya. People in every strata of society, even the retired Generals are expressing their opinion about the nuclear leak in Pakistan. To say the least this is the most unfortunate and un-called for situation and there is only one question, which needs an answer from the nation and the rulers.
Are we that set of irresponsible people? The reports in the press are still incomplete, the nation has only one side of the story, the report is that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and his other associates have admitted their guilt, we have yet to hear the other side of the story and a confused nation would like the President to allow the facilities to the accused scientists to relate their side of the story as well.
The media is full of reports about the wealth collected by Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, while in employment of Pakistan government. Surely he did not collect all this wealth in a day, it must have taken him months and years to be that rich, where were the government and the media, while Dr. Qadeer Khan and his associates were actively involved in corrupt practices.
It was in public knowledge then and now as well the numbers of bungalows, plaza's and business interests that Dr. Qadeer Khan has, why all this hulla ballo after the deluge. Are the rulers not aware of the causes of corruption? It is unfortunate that in this case the corruption has been at the highest level, where the national security and interest are at stake.
The investigators in this case should also come out with facts about the point of time when our scientists dished out nuclear secrets, this will fix responsibility on the rulers who were said to be closely guarding and monitoring the project.
We still remember the advertisements in national press about nuclear technology. These advertisements were issued on behalf of the Government of Pakistan, it is reported that there was a website launched for the same, was it not according to the prescribed policy of the government, which safeguards national interest, or the scientists were doing all this on their own. Then why action was not taken by the government? It is a matter of shame that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has to write to us about the state of affairs in our nuclear programme.
So far as corruption is concerned, the government should appoint a national commission to go into the causes of corruption and suggest remedies for the same. Surely the corrupt individual is not one time corrupt, his whole life is full of corrupt practices, he collects money and makes investments to multiply his wealth, it is therefore suggested that all financial transactions of government servants should be reported and a record maintained to be used at the time of need.
The theory of a built in system of checks and balance in the armed forces accounts and administration are only a myth, their transactions should also be reported to the government for an independent audit. The Kahutta projects and its workers are considered to be holy cows and therefore above any criticism or questioning, this must stop forthwith, their affairs should be brought under the purview of transparent audit to differentiate between the black and the white. Let us borrow a leaf from India's book, their nuclear command is under a civil authority, this should be so in Pakistan as well if we want to have a real democratic government in any form whatsoever.
To say the least Pakistan is the target with the most sensitive issue of nuclear technology as the main issue, or the greed of a few adventurers have landed the nation and the country in danger by playing for the under world Mafia. The system of Jihad in Islam makes non-Muslims shudder with an Islamic country having a nuclear bomb and they are trying to divest Pakistan of it, the nation will resist it at all cost.
So far as the role of our scientists and security personals are concerned, the nuclear command authority must not forget that they are Pakistani first and Pakistani last and they will not let the country and the nation down. It is hoped that the nation has learnt to resist outside pressure and guard our sovereignty jealously.
There has not been derth of scientists in Pakistan; Dr. Abdus Salam is buried here, Dr. I. H. Usmani is also no more on the scene and there is no news about Dr. Munir Ahmad Khan. It is a pity that Pakistan could not take useful service from the KANNUP, which is a product of Dr. I. H. Usmani in sixties. KANNUP is also not in full operation since 1972 onward when Canadians backed out of their deal and Pakistan was trapped into nuclear defence phobia the result of which we have before us now.
It is a pity that Pakistan has not been able to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Let us do it seriously now for the well being of medical, laser and space technology development. The time is not yet lost. Pakistan should set their own priorities transparently and act accordingly.
We must shed our habit of crying over spilt milk. I have had the occasion of meeting a China man, who told me that they follow every thing which is written in the Quran. State provides food, shelter, medicine and education and even then if any one steals, he is a diseased member of the society and he is eliminated, punishment for corruption and rape is death in China without any rigma'role of judicial process in which the culprit mostly gets the benefit of doubt and the long robed lawyers collect their fat fees.
I hung my head in shame when my Chinese friend told me that in his daily inter-action with normal Pakistanis every one tells about the other that he is a number two person, and he is yet not been able to differentiate between number one and number two. Surely he could make it that number two person is dishonest and corrupt and would stoop to do anything. Let us get rid of this fallacy.
In Turkey there is no medallion for valour as we have Nishan-e-Haider in Pakistan and Pram Veer Chakar in India and Victoria Cross in Britain. To be in the armed forces in Turkey is an honour for the individual and is considered as such and let us now compare the perks given to defence personals in Pakistan with these decoration and otherwise in the shape of urban and rural properties. Can our nation afford to do it?
It is a pity that we have not been able to inculcate the same feelings of patriotism in our nation. It will never be late for ever, I will appeal to every individual to weld himself into a nation of steel and stop dancing to the tune of super power to retain power and thereby what is left for us, the nation has already lost enough and can not afford any more.
