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ISLAMABAD: Chief Executive General
Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday urged the nuclear scientists to continue work of
their illustrious predecessors and consolidate Pakistan's nuclear programme.
Gen Musharraf "emphasized the
need to carry forward the momentous work of their illustrious predecessors".
He "expected them to consolidate Pakistan's nuclear programme with renewed
vigour," he was quoted as saying while congratulating the incoming chairman
of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) during a visit to its facilities at
Nilore here.
He was briefed on the work being
undertaken by PAEC in various fields of nuclear power generation, nuclear
physics, nuclear medicine, use of radio isotopes in agriculture and medicine,
etc by outgoing chairman PAEC, Dr Ishfaq Ahmed.
Overall, the PAEC provides a unique
conglomerate of research facilities contributing significantly to the promotion
of science and technology in Pakistan. Earlier, on arrival at Nilore, the chief
executive held an exclusive meeting with Pervez Butt, Chairman-designate PAEC
and Dr Javed Arshad Mirza, Chairman-designate KRL.
Later, addressing the scientists and
engineers of the PAEC, the chief executive highly appreciated the contributions
made by them to the cause of national development and defence. He said
Pakistan's interest in nuclear technology was not solely confined to defence but
also to harness nuclear technology to bring prosperity and socio-economic uplift
of the country.
"Our commitment to use nuclear
power to generate electricity, evolve new varieties of crops, its application to
industry and hydrology, microbiology and medicine to alleviate the sufferings of
humanity reflect our dream to see a prosperous Pakistan," he added.
The chief executive said despite
resource constraints all efforts were being made to look after the training and
welfare of scientists. He also announced award of one month's salary as an
honorarium to all those who are working in the commission.
He paid rich tributes to the
contribution of Dr Ishfaq Ahmed, the outgoing chairman PAEC and named the latest
research facility after him in recognition of his long-standing meritorious
service in the field of science and technology for the country.
Dr Ishfaq Ahmed also addressed the
audience and recalled his long association with PAEC spanning over four decades.
He stated that his successor Pervez Butt enjoyed vast experience and had
remained associated with all aspects of the country's nuclear programme.
Meanwhile, addressing at a dinner he
hosted in honour of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and Dr Ashfaq, General Pervez Musharraf
on Tuesday said Pakistan will never compromise on its minimum credible
deterrence and assured the nuclear scientists an all out support for carrying
forward the monumental work of their predecessors.
"Our strategy rests on minimum
credible deterrence. Our force goals are well-defined. The quality and quantity
of these goals is to be materialized at all costs, at all times, and under all
circumstances," he said.
"There never has been and there
never will be, any compromises in this resolve, come what may. I would like to
reiterate this resolve on this occasion loud and clear, in military terms, death
before dishonour."
He told the outgoing two top nuclear
scientists and paid them rich tributes over their invaluable contributions.
"It is a story of selfless devotion, unbridled dedication, scientific
brilliance, technological mastery, an above all, supreme patriotism and
religious fervour of thousands of silent workers," he said.
The Chief Executive said his
government will provide the nuclear scientists "every possible political
and financial support." "We will take whatever pressures come. We will
do whatever it takes to ward off such pressures. We will find the resources to
back your work," he said. "The nation is united on this issue. There
are no ambiguities whatsoever here," he said.
Chief Executive General Pervez
Musharraf said the nuclear scientists "must renew faith and vigour with
single minded devotion and sincerity." He said they "are inheriting
excellently run organizations and highly motivated teams of brilliant scientists
and engineers in great depth."
The CE said the nation looks up to
you to carry forward the monumental work of your illustrious predecessors.
"You have the best wishes, support and prayers of every member of my
Government and indeed of the entire nation."
He said "I have no doubt that
with Allah's Blessings, you will succeed as well as Dr AQ Khan and Dr Ishfaq did,
in the service of Pakistan and Islam." He said "I would like to end by
once again thanking Dr Ishfaq and Dr AQ Khan, on behalf of the Pakistani nation,
for all their accomplishments and achievements."
The Chief Executive paid accolades to
"another brave group of warriors" working bravely and silently at the
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. He said this brave group of warriors was led
by another national hero Dr Ishfaq Ahmed, "whose wise and mature leadership
at the PAEC guided the scientists and engineers of that organization to deliver
when the nation was confronted with yet another challenge to its security in
1998." " The nation salutes you, too, Dr Sahib, and Pakistan's
national security remains indebted to you as to Dr A Q Khan.
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