NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND CRAZY TRIGGER MULLAHS OF PAKISTAN

Nuclear Weapons and Crazy Trigger Happy Mullahs of Pakistan

Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao

Of late, there has been great Euphoria in the world regarding the safety of Nuclear weapons that are in the control of Pakistan. Over the past fortnight, even since the crisis in Pakistan broke and eclipsed every other geopolitical story, including Iraq, US officials and analysts have been speaking in different voices on the subject of a jihadi takeover of Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Apart from India, Pakistan is the only country that has nuclear weapons in the region of sub continent. Thanks to the past US administration that turned Nelsons eye while Pakistan was pursuing the weapon programme under its very nose. Some also believe that USA has clandestinely supported the programme. There is a general fear in the world that the nuclear weapon technology should not pass onto the Muslim countries from where they could find way to the murderous Islamic terrorist outfits and even Mullah dominated Iran and pose threat to world as Islamic bomb. AlQaeda has gained importance after Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan and grew by leaps and bounds on the foundations of hatred towards Western civilization.
Pakistan probably has 60 of these nuclear weapons. The country is going through great instability and General Musharraf was infact had no option except to declare emergency (Martial law in disguise) to control the situation. Whether situation would be controlled or would become worse is a matter of time. Mullahs, fundamentalists and crazy religious medieval war mongers and blood thirsty Wahabi Taliban inspired by AlQaeda is trying to gain control of the country. They made no bones of the intentions. Conflict at Lal maszid in Pakistan where Pak Troops fought the holed up militants (Taliban) is indications of the prevailing dangerous situation in the country. The Mullahs want to take back the country to the times of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) undermining whatever progress the country has made. The country already suffered 32 years of inglorious military dictatorships out of 60 years of pathetic existence fighting wars with neighbors. All most all the Pak rulers met sad fate at the end including civilian and those in uniform. The interesting thing in the military coups in Pakistan is that fortunately there were no mass killings of leaders which is the usual pattern in military coups in Islamic countries? It happened in Bangladesh. Terrorism that flourishes in Waziristan on western borders has also infiltrated into the capital and free for all has become the common culture (1). The political situation is highly unstable in Pakistan. Probably AlQaeda is waiting around the corner along with Taliban to lay hands on the nuclear weapons in the country and it’s known that a bomb in the hands of fundamentalist Mullahs would be like a stone in the hands of a lunatic. Rest can be imagined soon. In this scenario, there has already been demand that America should take over the complete control of these nuclear weapons in Pakistan and prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemies. There was also news in press that America is already in full control of the nuclear arsenal. Sadly that is not so. In recent news it has been understood that terrorists have already attacked Pak nuke facilities two or three times and this aspect has been hushed up.
The important aspect to note is that In Pakistan ISI is as strong while Musharraf in fact ran a shadow government. It could throw out Musharraf if decided. Re emergence of Taliban and AlQaeda in recent time is the hand work of ISI and NATO commanders in Afghanistan have in clear terms accused ISI of complicity in the rise of terrorists (2). In such scenario talk of Musharraf that he was in full control of the affairs is doubtful and as wishful thinking. Although Musharraf claimed to restore democracy soon shedding uniform, another military coup could be around the corner by the next incumbent in uniform. This has happened several times. In fact military and governing in Pakistan are twined close and tight and any civil government in Pakistan would be always at the mercy of Army and Damocles’ sword would be hanging on the civilian head of state. There is no doubt that nuclear weapons in Pakistan are at risk at present. Once the cat is out of the bag it would be not possible to bag it again (3).Now Musharraf has gone and civilian rule is there. But army calls the shots. The civilian show is a mere puppet show while General Kiyani runs the show from behind.
The problem would be how to ensure safety of these weapons. There was also a talk that Pakistan was warned that if required with the help of India the nuclear facilities and the stock could be destroyed by America. The journal Stratfor the most respected in intelligence circles reported recently that the "United States delivered a very clear ultimatum to Musharraf in the wake of 9/11: Unless Pakistan allowed US forces to take control of Pakistani nuclear facilities, the United States would be left with no choice but to destroy those facilities, possibly with India's help (4)." "As the government of Pakistan totters, we must face a fact: the United States simply could not stand by as a nuclear-armed Pakistan descended into the abyss," proposed Frederick Kagan and Michael O'Hanlon, analysts at two Washington DC think-tanks. "One possible plan would be a Special Forces operation with the limited goal of preventing Pakistan's nuclear materials and warheads from getting into the wrong hands."

Is this really possible? Can India really assist US in the plan of securing Pak nukes? Any strategist including the pseudo types, including the arm chair bound, drawing room based whisky sipping, T V watching pseudo guys who never ventured out of their rooms and talking on world strategies and such pseudo watch dogs also probably would not agree that India would be that bold and has guts. It will wheel around and sing Ramdhun. India is land of incompetent leaders that run the show. More time is wasted in dynastic rule and ensuring succession apart from ensuring that Swiss bank balances are not exposed. Can Indian Communists who agitate at every government move and destabilize the government keep quiet? Thanks god these men have been shown the door in recent election and put in real and proper place. The previous Indian government was precariously balanced on a knife edge with communists calling shots of destabilization every time. The congress party for the sake of power has shared the platform of power with the communists whose opposition to US is well known as a matter of policy. Communists coolly forget that USSR the mighty communist state did no come to the rescue of India when China attacked India in 1962. It was United States of America under the dynamic President John F Kennedy that came to the rescue of India. In fact China declared cease fire and withdrew under threat from the American President. Communists have forgotten these facts. These guys are living in out dated concepts and put brave face. Their children run after USS dollars while these guys move in AC cars with security men and stay in posh hotels on visits. What type of communism these guys follow, they only know. Communism has miserably failed every where. It still hopes to cling in India for some time like parasites.
Any government action with USA would be opposed by them and threatens to withdraw support and the Government is blackmailed. In such scenario can India do some thing of this kind to defang Pakistan? Is India that is vacillating and lacking guts and speaking sermons of Gandhi and Buddha capable of such Israel type adventure against its neighbor? It could not take a bold decision in 1948 war with Pakistan that could have effectively sealed the Kashmir dispute. It could not do it earlier in thick of troubles when Indian parliament was attacked by the Pakistan inspired thugs. Can they do it now? It is impossible rather. India that captured more than one lakh prisoners of war comprising of entire East Pakistan army during 1971 war developed cold feet later and handed over them on a platter to Pak premier Zulfikhar Ali Bhutto without negotiating occupied areas of Kashmir. Personal glory of national leaders was more favored than national wellbeing and long term national interests. Some leaders wanted to go down in world history as the greatest negotiators of peace on the earth for all the times to come and in turn landed the Indian nation into dire straits. During 1965 war Indian army almost reached Lahore city and those on top had no guts to capture it and bargain. All territories captured were handed over to the enemy. Probably India would prefer to suffer a nuclear attack by Pakistan and get its people killed than violate ill perceived Gandhian non violence during changed times and commit Hara-kiri. Thus USA has to plan its own action for the safety of Pak nukes.
Pakistan is a failed society in fact. Although General Musharraf has left the civilian rule is tottering. Terrorists have almost came up to national capital stunning the world. Under severe embarrassment Pak army is now fighting a loosing battle in Waziristan and Swat valley. Taliban is still strong. There are infact two Taliban. One is the original Afghan Taliban that slipped into Pakistan after attack on Afghanistan by Nato forces, The second one is the Pak Taliban who want to take over Pakistan and make it a Talibanistan. The struggle goes on even today while Pak claims that it has killed thousands of Taliban. There are millions of Taliban hiding now in Waziristan. Pak army itself is Taliban in hiding. THE RECENT REPORTS OF TERRORIST ATTACKS ON NUCLERA FACILITIES THROW LIGHT ON THE SITUATION. World should wake up to the danger before Taliban and AlQaeda take over Pak nukes and country.
It is very unlikely that Mullahs can capture political power through elections. There are many saner elements in Pakistan who want the country to progress in a modern way. The role of mullah inspired Pak army officers is most important. These need not be Generals. Even middle level officers are equally dangerous to organize coups and hand over the reigns to Mullahs. Nukes in Pakistan are always risky to the world. These days lot of talk is going on about attacking Iran to prevent it from going nuclear. But Pakistan is more dangerous which is already having stock of nuclear weapons in its arsenal. These can easily pass to the thugs and rogue . It has earlier leaked nuclear know how to some of the countries. Dr Khan was the culprit in this case. Thus Pakistan has lost the credibility as a responsible nation that can be trusted with nuclear weapons. It may be an unpleasant task to defang Pakistan a sovereign state. But this would be greatly essential in view of Pakistan emerging as a failed State with no hope in future that it would establish a responsible stable civilian progressive government that can be trusted with the WMD. Probably Pakistan would prove more dangerous to the world peace than Iran in very near future. The world terrorism eminates from Pakistan and it is essential that it is disciplined wit iron hand by the international community.



Bibliography

1. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, Pakistan back to square one. Will it ever reach Democracy, www.faithcommons.org, November 05, 2007, 09:54
2. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao, NATO offensive in Afghanistan to be pushed up, www.faithcommons.org, March 06, 2007, 19:08
3. Prof Dr Colonel (retired) K Prabhakar Rao; Pakistan cornered, www.faithcommons.org, March 07, 2007, 09:01
4. Pak nukes already under US control: Report, CNN news, By Times of India, www.informationclearinghouse.info/article18752.htm


Dr K Prabhakar Rao