Pakistan Revels In Suspense Over Threat Of N-Test

All eyes are on Pakistan, its response to the Indian nuclear blasts and the worlds efforts to dissuade it from carrying out a nuclear test which many suspect has already taken place.

Ordinary Pakistanis are waiting with bated breath, it can happen any moment being the popular thinking. A majority is in favour of the country going nuclear, though there are a few who feel the country should cash in on the present situation when the Americans are dangling carrots if it decides against testing and get loans written off as well as get more aid.

Yes, was Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub Khans reply when asked by CNN if Pakistan was going to test a nuclear device. Its a matter of time only, Khan said.

Pakistanis are rejoicing at the fact that every word of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Gohar Ayub is getting unprecedented international treatment.

German Chancellor Helmut Kohls announcement on Sunday that Islamabad has conducted a nuclear test, however, astonished the world, including Pakistan. A Foreign Office spokesman here described the announcement as a motivated rumour.

Kohl cited sources which should be taken seriously. Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto backed him, saying he had unconfirmed reports.

Their revelation came on the heels of a New York Times story that Pakistan is ready for nuclear testing on Sunday. Every newspaper here used the NYT story.

It is highly surprising that Kohl performed the job of Pakistani officials by making the proclamation, a foreign diplomat was quoted as saying by Urdu newspaper Sahafat. The German Chancellor tried to provoke the leaders of G-8 meeting at Birmingham, the diplomat said.

The diplomat said calling upon Pakistan to show restraint is misdirected and betrays an insensitivity to the countrys serious concerns on the very difficult situation in the subcontinent.

On the other hand Islamabad nowadays is buzzing with activity. After the high-level American delegation left on Saturday without any assurance from the government that it would not conduct tests, a special envoy of the Japanese Prime Minister arrived here for talks on the situation following the nuclear tests by India. Japan has also warned Pakistan in clear terms that in case of a nuclear test, relations will take a severe jolt.

The Japanese envoy will meet Sharif, Foreign Minister Khan and other senior officials and is expected to urge them to show restraint in responding to Indias nuclear tests.

Apart from the diplomatic efforts, the world media is also keeping a close watch on Pakistan. Special teams of CNN and BBC along with correspondents of The New York Times and the Washington Post are staying put in Islamabad. The CNN crew has already run into trouble in its effort to get an interview of Dr. Abdul Qader Khan, architect of Pakistans nuclear programme.

According to reports, the CNN crew succeeded in sneaking into Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), a fact hotly denied by a KRL spokesman. The international news agencies have increased their strength in Islamabad in anticipation of the tests. Similarly, the correspondents of other media organisations are pouring into Islamabad. The Foreign Office briefings, which were otherwise a quiet affair, have become crowded.

With demands flying from every side for Pakistan to go nuclear and mute voices calling for a wait-and-watch policy, Kohl created a sensation on Sunday by revealing that Pakistan has tested a nuclear device.

There are also bets going on everywhere when Pakistan would go nuclear and when that would happen.

This has put every other issue on the backburner, including the suicide by Bishop John Joseph in Faisalabad which triggered anti-blasphemy law protests throughout the country.

India Abroad News Service