deepak pace
DJ_DEE
In an obvious reference to the use of nuclear weapons, former president Gen Pervez Musharraf Saturday warned that Pakistan is resolved to use its "strategic assets" if needed in case of Indian aggression.
He also warned that Pakistan's military would not take lying down Indian surgical attacks on specific targets and would hit back with identical reprisal operations Musharraf was talking to reporters at Islamabad while embarking on a US trip during which, he said, he would deliver a lecture on the international situation.
Musharraf's jingoistic tone and threat of use of nuclear weapons immediately provoked a strong reaction with critics accusing him of being "irresponsible and reckless" for ulterior motives to further inflame current India-Pakistan tensions. They said Musharraf's observation would trigger another debate on Pakistan's nuclear assets and further intensify international pressure on Pakistan which is already facing a very dicey situation in the wake of the Mumbai carnage.
Tehrike Insaf chief Imran Khan, PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal, PML-Q secretary general Mushahid Hussain and many prominent analysts reacted sharply to Musharraf's bluster and blamed him for the predicament in which the country found itself at present. "Let India stop giving us threats," Musharraf said adding: "We have built a force level and we can use the sensitive and strategic assets when we have to." Imran Khan termed Musharraf's statement as "highly irresponsible" adding that the nuclear weapons were meant for deterrence and not for use against any country. He said Musharraf was now behaving like Sultan Rahi, hero of Punjabi films, by being boastful. "Here is a man now talking in tough terms after slavishly pursuing American diktat to utter humiliation of this nation," he said. Musharraf dispelled the impression that he had allowed the United States to intrude into Pakistani territory with drones and missile attacks.
Imran Khan and Ahsan Iqbal criticised the government for allowing Musharraf to make statesments on sensitive issues and not holding him accountable for his misdeeds. Imran blamed President Asif Zardari for providing Musharraf full protocol and security in return for his favour to pardon his corruption under the National Reconciliation Ordinance. Iqbal said Musharraf should not have been allowed to go abroad. Musharraf believed that resolution of the Kashmir and Palestinian issues was close at hand. But Mushahid Hussain said the former President was being unrealistically too optimistic.
He also warned that Pakistan's military would not take lying down Indian surgical attacks on specific targets and would hit back with identical reprisal operations Musharraf was talking to reporters at Islamabad while embarking on a US trip during which, he said, he would deliver a lecture on the international situation.
Musharraf's jingoistic tone and threat of use of nuclear weapons immediately provoked a strong reaction with critics accusing him of being "irresponsible and reckless" for ulterior motives to further inflame current India-Pakistan tensions. They said Musharraf's observation would trigger another debate on Pakistan's nuclear assets and further intensify international pressure on Pakistan which is already facing a very dicey situation in the wake of the Mumbai carnage.
Tehrike Insaf chief Imran Khan, PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal, PML-Q secretary general Mushahid Hussain and many prominent analysts reacted sharply to Musharraf's bluster and blamed him for the predicament in which the country found itself at present. "Let India stop giving us threats," Musharraf said adding: "We have built a force level and we can use the sensitive and strategic assets when we have to." Imran Khan termed Musharraf's statement as "highly irresponsible" adding that the nuclear weapons were meant for deterrence and not for use against any country. He said Musharraf was now behaving like Sultan Rahi, hero of Punjabi films, by being boastful. "Here is a man now talking in tough terms after slavishly pursuing American diktat to utter humiliation of this nation," he said. Musharraf dispelled the impression that he had allowed the United States to intrude into Pakistani territory with drones and missile attacks.
Imran Khan and Ahsan Iqbal criticised the government for allowing Musharraf to make statesments on sensitive issues and not holding him accountable for his misdeeds. Imran blamed President Asif Zardari for providing Musharraf full protocol and security in return for his favour to pardon his corruption under the National Reconciliation Ordinance. Iqbal said Musharraf should not have been allowed to go abroad. Musharraf believed that resolution of the Kashmir and Palestinian issues was close at hand. But Mushahid Hussain said the former President was being unrealistically too optimistic.
