How do you view the Pakistan-India summit recently held in Lahore?

Apr 99

Pakistan has test fired Ghauri-II in response to India's Agni-II missile test.
Do you think it was the right step taken ?

We are happy that our country has the capability to answer the enemies of Islam. But we still need to have the power to respond to the president of Serbia.

Aleem
America
I am extremely pleased that our scientists and government gave the most appropriate response to the Indian missile tests. We have showed that we are not interested in this missile race and would only go forward if provoked. These are the signs of a respectable nation. Pakistan has never committed aggression, be it in the wars against India or the nuclear tests, where too we were provoked. I don’t see any prospects of peace in South Asia as long as the people of India continue to elect extremist parties.

Wajid Ali Khan
USA
I think the Pakistani government had no choice, given the type of attitude of the Indian government. But the Pakistani government should have thought twice before testing these missiles. I think it’s better to open a new research institute or increase exports so that other countries could buy your stuff. I have read that Arabic countries had congratulated the Pakistan government. I just want to ask them why don’t they make the nukes themselves when they have the wherewithal and resources. No! They’re afraid of the USA. They just want sword hanging on someone else’s head. Did they help Pakistan when USA banned all those so-called help? I think Pakistani government should think about Pakistan first.

Kahkashan Malik
USA
Being a patriot Pakistani, everyone should ask himself whether or not is it right and in accordance with the high principles of Islam what our "corrupt rulers are doing? Everyday poor innocent Pakistanis are sentenced to jail/death in the name of so-called "Shariah" (which has not even a little similarity with the actual Shariah given to Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him). Poor people are starving and our rulers are indulged in their luxuries. I pray to Allah that He may give "wisdom" to the whole Pakistani nation, especially to the rulers.

Syed Muhammad Assad
Germany
I just want to know how testing of nuclear devices and missiles helps the poor people in the country; how does it help in improving educational and health facilities and in improving the economic condition of the country? I just wish Pakistan followed an approach adopted by the Japanese after the second world war when Emperor Hirohito while addressing the nation had said "Oh people I request you, let us throw away our weapons and pick up our tools and we shall beat the world with our tools". Aren't we capable of doing this?

Abid Baloch
USA
I think it is a right decision and Pakistan should test fire its Ghauri-III.

Raja Tahir Altaf
Canada
I think it was the right step considering the tension between Pakistan and India. Pakistan had to test Ghauri-II to show India that Pakistan was prepared to defend itself from any kind of danger.

Laila Khan
USA
I think it's great, because India wants to dominate Pakistan. And the problem with India is that it always wants to take any step against Pakistan. If India's entertainment or film industry is good then it does not mean that India is the world power. India is nothing in front of Pakistan. So it’s really good that Pakistan took that step first.

Erum Raja
Pakistan
I fully support these missile tests because we have to do everything that we can if there is something threatening the security of Pakistan. And we were not the ones who initiated this missile race, but our hostile neighbour. We have a neighbour in the face of India where the extremist parties are controlling the government. How can we ignore the threats we face from this extremist neighbour of ours? As long as the extremists rule in India, I don't see any prospects of India showing any desire for peace. Therefore we have to go ahead with our defence progress.

Mahmood-ur-Rehman
Pakistan
The decision was correct with Pakistan's perspective. But I feel that to Indians the Pakistanis are not as important as they consider themselves to be when it is the missiles or nuclear weapons issue. As I see it, India's missiles are clearly to counter the missile threats from China. The India-Pakistan conflict is the direct consequence of the imbalance of power between the two states and Pakistan's insecurity about this imbalance. The persistence of the conflict is a consequence of the persistence of this imbalance and of Pakistan's attempts to correct it. I would like to see both countries compete in the area of development of the living standards of the people, growth of economy etc. How about an official race between two countries for a percentage increase in average GNP for next 10 years?

Swapan
USA
It was an excellent step taken by our government. Thanks to the Indian Fundamentalist Government. Perhaps, this was the correct time to do this. There should be more experiments regarding ballistic technology. There is still need of funding. There is need of national sprit like Dr. Khan. God bless our Pakistan. Long live Pakistanis

Ijaz Ahmed
Kuwait
I think Pakistan had to do what the great nation has done. It is for their own safety and future . Now India knows that Pakistan is not behind in any respect, and the great nation will do any thing for its safety and to give better future to the children of Pakistan. By now, India must understand that every single step they will take will go against them. Pakistan zindabad.

Waqar Wasi
Pakistan
I believe that Pakistan is way advanced and ultimately much ahead of Indian (Hindu) military strategies, and in particular the development of the state-of-the-art ammunition is much more impressive then India's. I am convinced that Pakistan has not only responded to Agni-II in a dignified way, but has also proven that its military capabilities are way beyond the minds of Hindu scientists. "There is no God, except Allah, and Muhammed is His last prophet." Never underestimate the help of Allah. Pakistan Zindabad as long we have Islam in it! peace...

Khuram Shahzad
USA
I think the test was pointless since everybody already knew we had the missile and that it worked, it was just a waste of a very expensive weapon. I would also like to answer Mr. Mohmmad Rizvi, that we are not giving away our missiles to Iran, Syria or Libya. What have they ever done for us? If they want them, they can develop them themselves!

Jumana
USA
In view of India's tests, I support Pakistan's decision to test-fire the Ghauri missile. I am not in favour of missile testing, but since India has tested her missile, I don't think it is fair to criticise Pakistan. But I hope we are not going to get involved in an arms race- its the last thing we need at the moment. We are all, only too well aware of the acute poverty, unemployment and other miseries faced by our people, and these problems must be solved. For this, we need each other's help and support. The people of India and Pakistan are talented and intelligent- why then are we poor and so far behind the rest of the world? It is because we have been so busy, fighting with each other over the last fifty years, not willing to give each other a chance, and so we have not noticed the progress the world has made. I would be very happy if ties with Pakistan improved, as soon as possible; it would be good to have a friend in Pakistan and also be a friend to Pakistan.

Vivek
India
I think both Indian and Pakistani missile tests are completely unjustified. The majority of people in India are very keen on peace with Pakistan, and now that both countries have displayed their prowess to each other perhaps we could try something a little more constructive. I am absolutely fed up of hearing people on both sides say that they can't trust each other. I think we have all seen the results of this tension and clearly it has led to nothing but unhappiness. In my opinion, it is time we ignored the anti-peace elements in our countries, and thought for ourselves.

Deep
India
No compromise on national security. I strongly favour the step taken by the Government of Pakistan for the integrity and security of our motherland Pakistan. I am sure that Ghauri-II is not the end of Pakistani scientific achievements. They'll soon be giving more good news to the nation. Ghauri-II is not an answer just for India; it’s for every other country which has hostile intentions towards Pakistan. I congratulate the Pakistani scientists that are strengthening national security.

Najeeb U Khan
United Kingdom
Absolutely. No doubt about it. Congratulations to the whole team who did it.

Amjad Ali Khan
USA
Good news! For who? For our lawless politicians or our hungry and homeless people? I agree that Pakistan should not just ignore India's aggression, but it should watch its own economy first. People are not getting their wages for weeks and weeks, but the government is spending millions on Ghauri. That does not make sense to me. Take care of your people and then do whatever you want, we all will back you up 100 percent. A loyal Pakistani today and forever.

Naved Abbasi Houston
USA
I think Pakistan did the right thing; but the question is: where do both countries want to go? Pakistani and Indian corrupt politicians do not want peace. Almost 60% of the budget is eaten up by armies of both India and Pakistan. Anybody has an answer how we are going to stop them? Indian and Pakistani publics should stand up against these corrupt politicians and armies. I think only you. God bless India and Pakistan.

Ali
Canada
I think if the brain cells of all the leaders in India and Pakistan over the last 40 years were put together we still wouldn't have enough to show up on a microscope. Its funny... we have enough brains to put together nuclear bombs and nuclear silos...but we still have to produce some one smart enough to solve problems like poverty, lack of fresh water and medical facilities. Well I guess solving these "minor" problems wouldn't prove our machismo to the rest of the world. Good work O' leading scientists of India and Pakistan. You are really using science in a productive way. Hooray!

Tauseef Riaz
Canada
How disappointed I was when Pakistan test fired Ghauri-ll in response to India's Agni-ll missile test. We should save our resources and use them for educating our children. Pakistan's literacy rate is the lowest in the world. Let's all work and make our country into a beautiful and safe haven with very highly-educated and God-fearing human beings.

Hafsha Suleman
Canada
Congratulations to Pakistan and its people on this happy occasion. Pakistan now is one of the leading nations in Asia. Besides being a nuclear power, Pakistan has now started making many missiles. It is indeed a great achievement and it does make us proud of our nation. Still I think though that this race of weapons is benefiting neither Pakistan nor India, so it should now stop. Both India and Pakistan are sensible nations and I think they should go for peace, instead of wasting their money in buying weapons, which get outdated even before we test them. I personally think that both the nations should sit and solve all the issues including the Kashmir one. If they do so, inshallah a time will come when India and Pakistan would set examples of unity and neighbourhood. Pakistan Zindabad.

Nabeel Mohammad Ghyas
Canada
It always takes two to tango. But I only wish they stop playing these political stunts with borrowed money! They think the rest of the governments in the world are dumb.

Aboo Bakr RanaDeen
USA
I think it was not a good step. What is the difference between being a Hindu and a Muslim? It looks like there is no difference. These things are creating so much tension in Asia that they could trigger a third world war, which I think that no one would like to start. So we need to take care about this.

Syed Musa Raza Zaidi
USA
Pakistan has taken the right step to some extent; but this right step will be completely right only when Pakistan drops a nuclear bomb and fires Ghauri missile on India. I think this will lead to the waving of Pakistani flag at Delhi's Red Fort and remove India from the world map forever. This is the only way Kashmir's people can get justice. Oh, but one problem ! If India is destroyed, who will Pakistan's cricket team beat in Sharjah every year?

Amjad Ali
Canada
Pakistan has overreacted to Indian missile tests. I think there was no need for this tit-for-tat reaction, as the range of Indian missiles was not really our concern. India has been grooming her global ambitions since long, and it is ironic that poverty and substandard human-conditions at home couldn’t deter India from its desire to see itself as a global power. Let India fall under her own burden of errors. We are spending too much on defence but to defend what? There is nothing left behind. As a nation we have to rethink our priorities.

Masroor Ahmad
Pakistan
I believe it was the right step taken. The successful test firing proves, once again, that Pakistan places nothing before its national integrity and security. Pakistan needs to develop more missiles with greater capabilities if it is to stay ahead in the missile and arms race that India has started. However, Pakistan in its foreign policy against India seems to be lacking confidence; India always seems to be the aggressor yet Pakistan keeps calling for dialogue and diplomacy. What Pakistan must do is to show India that Pakistan is not to be messed around with and it’s not going to acquiesce to the bullying tactics adopted by the Indian regime. Pakistan has the military power and must direct it towards the same principles that the Khaleefahs of Islam did, that is the protection of Islamic lands. Bosnia, Iraq and Kosovo show that no Islamic country is courageous enough to do so.

Mohammad Nahim Arif
England
This was the right step taken. I think it is time we took over India. By successfully testing Ghauri II missile, there is no doubt that Pakistan is fully ready to make India its fifth province. As an Indian, I am fed up with Indian government's instability and corruption among other problems. The only solution to us Indians is a Pakistani invasion, soon. Please give us Sikhs our own province and we will happily say Pakistan Zindabad and live happily as Pakistanis.

Gurwinder Singh
India
Amarjit Singh! You dare write in a Pakistani newspaper that you hate Pakistanis. Well, listen I assure you that the Pakistani government and army will make sure you are the first person to go to be nabbed after Ghauri strikes.

Hafiz Akhtar
USA
India had left us with no choice. We cannot be scared of losing foreign aid as we have to eventually become self-sufficient. I agree it was the right step. We need to change our strategy on Kashmir to liberate Kashmir. It is clear that India will never hand Kashmir over to us. We need to come up with a plan to help Kashmiri brothers achieve freedom.

Hamid Faran
Canada
Congratulations to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Dr.Abdul Qadeer Khan and all other scientists involved in the Ghauri-II. Absolutely no doubt it. This decision was right.

Ishtiaq Rashid
Kyrgystan (USSR).
What does it get us to fire a missile? India today needs closer relationship with Pakistan. The best response Pakistan could have given was to stop trade and political negotiations with India. It would have brought India begging to our door. Firing missile is useless and foolish bravado.

Naveed Khan
USA
It is time India and Pakistan stopped wasting money on defence and weapons and focused on removing poverty, corruption, illiteracy, and injustice in their respective countries.

Ken Hamilton
USA
This is for Ajay. You think India can destroy Pakistan?. That can never happen. India was broken into half in 1947 and Pakistan was created. India will break into more pieces than Soviet Union with the help of Kashmiris, South Indians in Assam, Sikhs in Punjab; and of course, with Ghauri missile and the nuclear power Pakistan will ensure the disintegration of the largest "democracy" in the world.

Ahmed Javed
Canada
Congratulations to every Pakistani and every Muslim on this planet. Missile test is absolutely justified and shame on those who hate Pakistanis like Mr Ajay from USA

Dr. Muhammad Jameel
UK
I think that it was a great step which should have been taken long ago. Pakistan and India have fought three wars in past fifty years and have gone through a lot of destruction and suffering .I think it is about time for us neighbours to adjust our priorities and start living in peace and harmony .We should look at the future not the past, so that we could build strong economic and social ties. Let us learn from the past and not make same mistakes again. There are so many nations who have settled their differences and now enjoying peace and prosperity. We can look at Germany, United Kingdom, US, Japan, China , Korea and so many others who had animosity going back to centuries but they are economic partners now. Instead of wasting money and energy on weapon development we should try to solve our domestic problems, which have plagued our nations, like poverty, crime and ever increasing terrorism. I don't understand people who preach hatred between us. These people don't understand that this hate can only bring us poverty and ruin. If we want to compete and reach a respectable position among world nations we have to change our path. Otherwise we will be left behind and our future generations will suffer greatly. Our leaders should stop using Kashmir as a tool to divert people's attention from economic difficulties and other domestic issues that are making our lives miserable, and start looking for a viable solution that could satisfy Kashmiris and bring an end to their unending agony. The only way we can achieve that is by talking to and not by talking at each other. We do not serve our religions by talking about war and not about peace. So lets give peace a chance and start talking before it is too late.

Amjad Saleem
USA
What is the point? Unless it was precisely to further the aims of Pak prosperity, it is silly. If you have weapons you know it and India knows it. Why publish it?

Shafiq Khan
UK
I think it was the right step taken by our government, and that before signing the CTBT we must test Ghauri-3 and Shaheen 2, we must carry out more nuclear tests like France and China before rectifying the CTBT.

Talha Ahmed
Pakistan
That was the best step taken by the Pakistani government. You will agree to my statement, as Pakistan has never done any thing first: see the nuclear explosion; India was the first to do it. Then only Pakistan followed the same path.

Nadeem Choudahry
Malaysia
I would like to thank Mr Nawaz Sharif for taking such a courageous step despite the pressure he was facing from the west. Pakistan will never get a sincere leader like him. And at last I have seen the real face of the Indians. I had started believing after the Lahore declaration that the Indians really wanted peace with Pakistan. But now I have realised how crooked these Indians are. They say something else and do something else. The best way to deal with them is o speak the language that they understand which is the language of stick.

Samiullah Khan Kakar
England
I think Pakistan rightly availed the opportunity to test its weapons that India provided by launching her missile first. So, as expected, the world sees India as initiator of any perceived arms race. At the same time Pakistanis have demonstrated that their missiles can cover all of the enemy territory. However, I would add that political leadership of both Pakistan and India should now step back and realise that peace in South Asia will not come through weapons.

Yonus Gardezi
USA
Pakistan can never discuss Kashmir with India as long as we are in a strong position and are able to see eyeball to eyeball. Our security comes before everything else and that made the missile tests very necessary. We can never trust India and it doesn't need to be proven. Hadn't that been so, the sub-continent would have been at peace for a long time. Now Pakistan's military strength is at level with India and our missile and nuclear technology is superior and more advanced and now none of these hard-liners like BJP can ever cast an evil eye on Pakistan. Credit for this goes to the Pakistan government and Prime Minister.

Farhad Ahmed
Pakistan
Congratulations Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and all other scientists involved in the Ghauri-II. This response was an absolute necessity. Pakistan is a peace-loving country, but we are also aware of our enemies. The test of Ghauri-II was a right step at a right time. But the question is: where will this arms race take us?

Farooq Mustafa
Kuwait
Politically it can be considered a right step.

Hammad Mehmood
UK
It is the right step taken by Pakistan.

Waseem Nafis
USA
I think it was a right decision by Pakistan. Congratulation Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan and all other scientists involved in Ghauri-II.

Hamid Rizwani
Norway
Well it's a matter of existence; that's why in my opinion Pakistanis have done only what anyone would do in this situation.

Feroz Hayat
Germany
Yes, I think it was a right step. It would be better if we also considered our educational policy. This is the right way to show our power to the world.

Muhammad Aamir
Germany
India should stop thinking that it can bully Pakistan. You talk about Ghauri 2. I am waiting for Ghauri 3. Of course, we have the right to prove that our defence is great as only then can we live as a proud nation. I am very proud of the people behind these Pakistani missiles. Long live Pakistan.

Umar Tanveer
London
Obviously; there was only one choice Pakistan had. I don't want an arms race in South Asia but these Hindus are fanatics, they only wanted to deviate the press from the political crisis in India or else there was no need to test another missile just days after Lahore Declaration was announced. If India keeps on doing these stupid things Pakistan should respond, otherwise there is no need to tell other people what we can do.

Fahad Kazmi
Shanghai, China
Absolutely no doubt about it; Pakistan has taken the right decision. I believe the tests were completely justified. This will not only protect Pakistan but also the Muslims around the world.

Zahid
Holland
Yes, I think it was the right decision to test Ghauri. Pakistan should not miss any opportunity to test and upgrade its missile system. Fortunately, India is providing Pakistan opportunity to test these missile systems and is looking aggressive and bad in the eyes of the world community.

Amir
USA
I am now very glad to say that I am a Pakistani, as we did not let anyone do or say wrong about our lovely country. I am 100% sure that Pakistan did what any Muslim is supposed to do. May Allah bless our Pakistan.

Abdul Rauf Khan
USA
We are a peaceful nation and do not want any aggression. But if India wants any aggression we will not stay quiet. We have the capability, and we responded immediately, which was the right decision of our government. The world should know that we can go beyond this but being a peaceful nation, we will act only on tit-for-tat basis so that no one can point their fingers at Pakistan.

Abubakar A. Memon
Saudi Arabia
It was a very wise step taken by the Nawaz Government to test-fire upgraded Ghauri-II, which ranged 1200 miles. It will boost Pakistan's defence and will eventually attract foreign investors to invest in Pakistan, because now there is no risk at all. It has made Pakistan able to contain USA in its box to think twice before taking any aggressive step against Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I will suggest Pakistan not to stop here, but continue to upgrade its missile system until we become able to produce such long-ranged missiles as America and Russia have.

Khalid Mahmood Bhatti
Denmark
Pakistan has all the right to test fire its own missiles. After all it is a sovereign nation. However, its tit-for-tat reaction only confirms my fears that Pakistan's sole reason for existence is India. The Agni-2 missile, if you look at matters objectively, in no way can be argued to be a weapon made for Pakistan. To deter Pakistan, a Prithvi or an Agni-1 would be good enough. The 2500 km range of Agni-2 implies that this missile is essentially aimed at China. So, I do not see real reason, except that relating to "national pride" that cajoled the Pakistanis to test their own. And what did they test? The same old stuff. Sometimes I wonder that if tomorrow India fires an ICBM with a range of 15,000 km, the Pakistani government will once again respond in kind to "balance" the threat posed by the Indian ICBM. However, that to me is not the sign of a mature nation. So dear Pakistanis, fire all the missiles you can. But do make sure that when you do that, it is backed up by a good reason. Or else, you will merely reinforce the prevalent opinion that Pakistani polity is nothing more than a mirror image of India. Peace.

Umang
India
If it is not foolish for wiser leaders of great nations to test fire their missiles, then I think Pakistan has done no mistake by doing so, particularly in its current position as a smaller, weaker and poorer nation. We must not misunderstand the Pakistani actions. The tests are not a competition between India and Pakistan: they are serious steps to prepare Pakistan for the worse. Next time it may not be a simple war. The very existence of Pakistan could become unmanageable. I congratulate the Pakistani leadership, particularly the PM.

Gp Capt Khalid Latif (Retd)
California, USA
I am in favour of Pakistan responding to the test fire of Agni-2 by India. If India was really in favour of peace in the sub-continent, it could have been demonstrated through moratorium on any such testing between India and Pakistan.

Ziad Rashdi
Canada
I think so, but what needs to be addressed is to slow down the arms race in the region.

Muhammed
USA
No- where would it end? India might survive but Pakistan would collapse economically. We should test fire 'economic Ghauris 1,2,3' and so on. It's Economics now. Wake up Pakistan and Pakistanis. Look what happened to the Soviet Union, with all the missiles and nuclear arsenal at their disposal, they collapsed economically.

Mohammad Riaz Khan
USA
I don't think that it was a right or left, back or front step. It was the correct step.

Shehzada Ghazanfar
USA
It was just the right step taken by Pakistan. I am very thankful to Nawaz Sharif

Babar Bajwa
Pakistan
Absolutely! Pakistan had no choice but to test fire Ghauri-II and Shaheen-1 to achieve the strategic balance in the Indo-Pak Sub-continent.

Faisal Awan
USA
Do we believe that if Pakistan didn't manufacture and test fire all these new firearms, India would send its forces in action against Pakistan? Does any Indian or Pakistani want to leave the security of their homes and come to the battleground? Could the amount of money spent on Kashmir, be recovered by any of the two countries? Does the resolution of Kashmir issue means a comeback of either of the governments to the office for another term? Who is making the most of the situation? Who reports an increase in GDP when a new firearm is bought by either of the two countries? Who is sitting in the lap of luxury and having a good laugh? I wish we all had answers to these questions.

Usman Khan
Australia
Now is the time that we should be showing something before India thinks of it, because we always get the blame anyway. All that the western media says is that Pakistan tested missiles, but the former never looks at what India does. Who started the arms race in the region, and who gets the blame? Let's do it first for the sake of our security. It's the courage which fights. It's very important to have our soldiers ready along with the missiles

Tahir Shaukat
USA
It was the right decision. We don't have to give any chance to anyone to play with our integrity. But we have to re-establish our health, education and basic necessities to avoid the eruption of crime in the society.
Pakistan Zindabad

Mujahid
USA
Pakistan did the right thing by test firing the Ghauri II missile and later the Shaheen SSM. The Indians cannot be trusted. Even if they put something on paper and sign it-they still cannot be trusted! Look at the evidence before your very own eyes...only a few weeks ago Mr Vajpayee came down to Lahore and started talking very poetically about brotherhood and good neighbourly ties. As soon as he headed for Delhi, the Indians conducted a very large scale army and air force exercise right next to our border testing their new air force Sukhoi jets and the Prithvi SSM in full combat simulation. There is where their bigotry and untrustworthiness is fully exposed - one moment the Indian talks about " good neighbourly ties "and the next moment the Indians are practising for war right next to our doorstep! Pakistan must militarise itself even more and increase its military resources even more in order to strengthen its security.

Abdul Sami
United Kingdom
Pakistanis have the right to defend their motherland against any aggression. We Pakistanis have no other choice of survival in today's international politics of international terrorists (Super Powers).

Irfan Raza
USA
Yes, it was absolutely the right step taken by Pakistan in response to the recent tests by India. We can only stop our enemy's advancement by flexing our muscles in a way that it must always be cautious of us.

Athar Khan
USA
Two wrongs never make a right; that’s a universal fact. I am disappointed, and regret the blunders of the leaderships of the two nations. They have fought three wars; regardless of the results, what did they achieve as a nation? The problems are still there, corruption in every walk of life, poverty, that reflects 80% plus of the population of both nations, inflation on the rise, these missiles and bombs won't feed the poor, we will have to take concrete steps towards the peace process, and will have to pray to Allah to give our leaders the strength and courage to distinguish between right and wrong. God bless them all and God bless Pakistan.

Naushad Alwani
USA
Yes I think that it was the right step taken.

Muhammad Shahid
Pakistan
Yes! It was the right step taken by Pakistan- my homeland. I often wonder why India needs to have Agni-1 or 11? And why can’t Pakistan have Ghauri-11 when India tested their Agni? Pakistan must make a selfdefence, because it’s necessary to make a peace on that way when you have such kind of neighbour as India. Therefore I am sure that Pakistan has taken the right step. I wish Pakistan good luck. God bless the Pakistan.

Mohammed Javed
Norway
Pakistan was left with no alternative but to take such an action when intimidated by the bully-boy tactics of the Indians. I salute the Pakistan military for taking such steps to ensure that neither India nor the world is mistaken about our nuclear capability and our resolve to defend ourselves against any likely aggression. We cannot be seen to be weak and must ensure the enemy realises the consequences of any attack and their own losses resulting as a deterrent.

Sajjad Hussain Shah
England
It is total madness. I think both India and Pakistan should care for their poor peoples.

Jahan Zeb Khan
Pakistan
I don’t agree with their missile tests. They are fighting like children. They should sit together and talk the matter out, or some one should intervene and resolve the issues.

Faisal
USA
It seems dubious that Pakistan ever had a cracker (ooopps! missile), which was really made by Pakistan. Chinese missiles painted in Pakistani paint does not mean that our country has gone hi-tech. We still have thousands of people going without food. It was a gimmick by our government to stay in power and the tests showed the government’s indifference towards the suffering of common man.

Sarfraz Akhtar
Pakistan
It was the right step because Indians test fired missiles as if they where toys. They now know that they will get a very befitting response from the Pakistanis in case India fires the missiles again.

Athar Mohiuddin
Pakistan
It was a bold step at the right time. Now we should solve our problems, especially Karachi's problems, as this is the most important city of Pakistan.

Safia S. Shah
USA
Neither Pakistan nor India gets involve in this arms race against each other. I basically grew up with Pakistan. I grew up in an anti-Indian environment. We were always told that India was our enemy number one. Maybe Indian youth in that era grew up with the same feelings. After living abroad for over half of my life, I have come to the conclusion that our biggest enemy are the political leaders in both countries. They play this hate game to keep themselves in power. I strongly condemn this arms race. It will only hurt common and poor people on both side of the border. I request the political leaders of both sides to open their minds, become friends with each other. Both countries have a very large market in their hands. We are the same people with different religious values. I am sure we can be friends once again and will be able to promote peace and trade among ourselves.

Syed Iqbal
Canada
Al-Hamdullillah; We took the right step by responding to India. Now, as we are Muslims and believe in one Allah, we must look into the lives of our Prophet Mohammed (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) and Sahabah's (RA). What they did in this kind of situation. We must now stand up for the unity and do as the Quran and Sunnat say.

Abdul Hamid Umer
USA
Yes what Pakistan has done is right.

Muhammad Alam Khan
Saudi Arabia
I think this is the right time for India to know that Pakistan has the capability to reply to all her attempts. It is better for both countries to solve their problems with dialogues and not with missiles. Spend this money on developments.

Mohammed Riaz Ul Haque
Kuwait
I very strongly back Pakistan’s testing of its missiles. I believe this will show the world what Muslims are capable of doing. With Allah's help Pakistan shall continue to explore its way in the nuclear field very successfully. Pakistan should support all other Muslim nations in acquiring nuclear capability.

Nasim Malik
Scotland (UK)
I don’t think it was the right step taken. The money and intelligence used in a thing causing destruction to the world, is going waste. It’s time to bring progress and prosperity to the country and the people who are living without basic utilities. Instead of firing missiles spend the money on the industries in Pakistan.

Syed Saad Ali
Pakistan
The people of India and Pakistan like all the people of the world need peace. Progress and prosperity does not need nuclear bomb and missile. The arms race in our region will further make the future bleak. The prime minister of India was trying hard to keep his government intact. Nuclear and missile tests were carried out just to secure the government’s rule over India. However, in response to the Indian test, it was necessary for Pakistan to test fire Ghauri II. There should not be any unilateral sanctions against Pakistan's nuclear and defence policy. Every country has the right to defend herself. And so has Pakistan.

Kamran Bangash
Pakistan
I am surprised at people who are commenting on an issue which they do not even know the details of. Neither Pakistan nor India has made the details public. Set aside the religious differences, you will find several similarities in these countries e.g. poverty, illiteracy, insecurity, corruption etc. The biggest similarity is that both governments are struggling to maintain their seats. In the absence of details of their discussions, the only thing I understand they agreed on is a strategy to scare the public and secure their governments. As for the firing of missiles - just a drama! Both sides suck the blood of their public, build these things and fire for nothing. On top of all, the international sanctions ultimately affect the poor. The question is: is the nuclear and missile issue our top priority or life standard and welfare?

Awais Qureshi
Hong Kong
Both India and Pakistan have demonstrated an ability to develop and tactically deploy nuclear weapons and their delivery systems.
What do both countries envision their future defence requirements to be? How much more distance should the missiles cover before India and Pakistan will consider it sufficient for defending our motherlands. An ultimate requirement should be a missile which can encircle the globe ten times before hitting the target. The leadership of both countries in all spheres of society has shown an extreme lack of vision. With virtually no industrialisation, no civic amenities available to 60% population, no good schools, hospitals, banks or institutions, what do we want to protect with the missiles? Why does not Pakistan try to respond to India tit-for-tat in the software industry or even film industry or other hi-tech areas where Indian supremacy is gaining a world-wide recognition? It’s about time we rethought our priorities. The first fifty years after independence have made us exemplary warriors; let us demonstrate exemplary competition in social development in the next fifty years.

Shahid Masud
UK
Yes, it was the right step taken. A country without a strong defence is at the mercy of any aggressor. We don’t want Pakistan to become another Bosnia, Kosovo or Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Khawar M. Butt
USA
I believe it was the only step Pakistan could take. First time in 50 years have they looked at Pakistan as the equal and learned to respect Pakistani views. If it takes nuclear weapons to gain respect, let it be so!

Naveed
USA
I think it was a right step to be taken. We can not be behind India. We are an independent nation and have to do what is right for our country. I love Pakistan.

Muazzum Aman
USA
It was the right and perfect response but at a wrong time. They have the technology, why not surprise everybody when the time comes?

Anwar Khurshid
USA
Under circumstances, yes. I am not sure what this is all leading to, but to maintain the power balance in the region Pakistan had to show its strength. Countries conducting business with Pakistan should consider that Pakistan is not initiating any of these activities but is only responding to India's tests. An intervention from a third party with the intent of ending the possible arms race (in some of the poorest countries of the world) should take into account India's role and stop her from carrying out any future tests. Pakistan will automatically follow suit.

Zeeshan Siddiqui
USA
India is playing a game with Pakistan and trying to build a trap for us to fall into it- a financial trap. We are forced into matching India's arms. But I think India should stop the policy of aggression towards its neighbours. We are successful in matching the Indian capability of arms building; congratulations! Now we should also focus on improving the economic situation.

Udas
Canada
I believe that the test was a waste of time and money on Pakistan's part. It is a known fact that Pakistan has missiles capable of targeting Indian cities. The money could and should have been spent on health and education issues instead. A simple message to the Indian foreign office would have done the job.

Abdul Qadir
USA
I think Pakistan did the right thing. India has shown its true colour. First the Indian Prime Minister came to Pakistan and told Pakistanis that he wanted a peaceful relationship with Pakistan; then he went back to India and made aggressive statements towards Pakistan and finally okayed the testing of Agni II, threatening Pakistan. Pakistan has given India the right response. All Pakistanis should not forget how Muslims in India are being persecuted. Muslims are just 12% of the population in India but most women raped in India are Muslims. Most people who die in police custody are Muslims. Muslims face a lot of discrimination in India. I just hope Pakistan becomes very strong and take over India and liberate Indian Muslims; after all, historically, Indian Muslims have also fought for those who now belong to Pakistan.

Zaffar Khan
USA
I am very pleased with Ghauri-II test. I hope Pakistan will be able to test even intercontinental-range missile in future. Thank you for providing the chance for readers to give their opinions.

Ghulam Sarwar Bhatti
Finland
It should be clearly understood that the challenge always comes from India. They simply don't understand any other language. The diplomatic negotiations are nowhere in their domain of sanity. Pakistan is only responding in the right language, and that kind only India understands. The rest of the world doesn't have to worry. We thank India for posing such challenges which have not only helped our nation to remain prepared but have also spurred research and development work. India is actually losing in a way.

Mohammed Akram
Malaysia
As a Pakistani studying in America I am very proud of the missile test conducted by Pakistan. We have to teach our enemies not to underestimate a strong Muslim country. Peace should only come if they are willing to give Kashmir to us. We are the fighter of Allah and should die to defend His name no matter where it is. India beware of a stronger and a true Muslim state of Pakistan.

Asfand Niazi
USA
Yes, there is no doubt about that. It was the right step. Had we not responded in this way, we would have admitted the supremacy of the Indians.

Masood Akhtar Bajwa
Pakistan
It sure was the need of the hour. The stability of the region has been re-established by Pakistan's test of its ability to safeguard its strategic and tactical interests. India has time and again forced us into an arena which we were never proud of being in. But again we have to live as a sovereign and independent nation, which does require a strong deterrent against any aggression. The recent tests will go a long way in guaranteeing our safety

Muhammad AbuBaker Ilyas
Lahore, Pakistan
I do not think it was a right step. Agni II, as everyone knows, is not against Pakistan, but against China. Pakistan is already within the range of other Indian missiles and aircraft. And Delhi and other important cities are within the range of Pakistani missiles. The rationale of Agni II was to bring Beijing and other important Chinese cities within range.

Further, this test also exposes the proliferation of missile technology by China. Pakistan, which only has a rudimentary space and satellite program, generally fires missiles which are successful in their first tests. This fact is not lost on the people in the business. It is indeed laughable to hear the Pakistani COAS saying that it is indigenous. Do you ever hear such things from other countries? The Indians have managed to make Pakistani reactive in nature rather than proactive. They had to bring their N-bomb and now missiles out of the closet!

Though I understand it is difficult for any government to sit quiet in the face of public outcry. Had Pakistan been a little sensible, it could have used this opportunity to extract concessions and gain some respite for its troubled economy. That would have contributed more to its security. However, nobody can deny the sovereign rights of a government to do what it deems best. But I guess everybody needs to show that they have the guts.

Manoj
India
It was a stupid idea to fire Ghauri-II in response to the Indian missile test. If India is doing the wrong thing, why does the Pakistani prime minister have to do the same? It seems that Nawaz Sharif is a copy-cat and never thinks on his own. Didn’t he see the results of the first nuclear test conducted by Pakistan? The bans slapped by the IMF and many other countries? The Pakistan Army did the wrong thing, in total disregard of the fact that there is inflation and there aren’t any jobs for fresh graduates. First of all they have to manage the country and if they can't do that then they had better hand it over to someone else. Nawaz Sharif stop doing such things and Atal Behari Vajpayee you too! Be good friends.

Ali Raza
USA
I don't think that we have to adopt the "barking dog philosophy". I think we better strengthen our nation economically and count ourselves amongst the first world countries. Its good to strengthen our defence power but at the same time we have to look at our unemployment rate, inflation rate, literacy rate and our beloved leaders’ corruption rate. I think we need missiles not only for our defence but also for eliminating corruption. May Allah bless Pakistan.

Jawwad Ilyas
Australia
What Pakistan did in response to India's Agni, was perfectly a right decision in Pakistan's favour to maintain a strategic balance in the region. Both countries should stop testing any further and improve their relation by dialogue and pay more attention towards their economies.

Amin Alvani
Miami, USA
Yes; we have the right to do that. Moreover, the balance in the region can only be maintained if sufficient deterrence exists on the two fronts.

Muhammad Ali
Pakistan
Well done. This is the right way to go; a self sufficient country in all respects should be our target. Our education system needs as much attention as our military needs. All we need is God- fearing Muslims.

Munir
Canada
Yes. It is always necessary to give a befitting response to India and it is necessary to show the whole world that Pakistan will not compromise on such issues.

Salman Rasool
USA
I congratulate our prime minister Nawaz Sharif on conducting all these tests, that is, the nuclear, Ghauri and Shaheen. This shows that Pakistanis can do whatever they want and they are not afraid of any one. "qadam badhao Nawaz Sharif ham tumhare saath hain": Go ahead Nawaz Sharif, it' s not just my message, it's a message from the whole nation- a Pakistani nation from New Jersey. I hope that you will understand our feelings about your efforts for our country.

Usman Hassan
USA
It was necessary to reply to this Indian behaviour "mounh main ram ram baghal main churi". He knows that Pakistan is suffering from an economic crisis. He is trying to defeat Pakistan economically. On other side, the leaders of Pakistan are welcoming those Hindus who have never accepted Pakistan as an independent country. I request the leaders of Pakistan to make the country economically strong.

Muhammad Siddique Javed (Pakistani)
Kuwait
Yes, it was the right step. I want to congratulate our scientists, especially Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Shehab
Kuwait
Pakistan has all rights to have a powerful defence. But we need to look realise the requirement of Pakistani people. They are not getting basic amenities of life, for example: there is no clean water and if there is then there is shortage of it, the roads are not properly maintained. All this has to get fixed because all this defence against India is only if people are happy in their own country.

Syed Saif ullah Hussaini
New York
If India could test Agni-II missile, why cant Pakistan its Ghauri? Pakistan did the right thing. But Pakistan should not have fired Shaheen. It should have kept it for India’s Agni-III.

Imran Ahmad
Canada
Pakistan has done right as there cannot be any compromise on national security. Pakistan has every right to test its weaponry and not just for the sake of answering to the Indian missile test, but also for the Pakistan Army to be self-reliant in warfare technology. I am sure that Pakistan will carry on its missile and nuclear program for the integrity and security of the motherland Pakistan.

Najeeb U Khan
United Kingdom
The Government of Pakistan has taken a right decision.

Mubashir
Canada
First I like to give the answer to Hemang Dave: you think that Pakistan is part of India; if that should be the case, then you have to think that India is first an Islamic country and then only a Hindu nation. If India is making warheads then Pakistan, as a separate nation, needs to give an answer to that. You think that Muslims are living a very beautiful life in India? I just say you open your eyes and see what your government is doing to them; you people never accept them as Indian citizens.

Mohsin Naqvi
Canada.
Yes it was the right step taken. We must fire the Ghauri-II to its maximum range into the ocean and further develop this and other weapons. We must also make more atomic warheads and as much fissile material as fast as we can and should not sign the CTBT or FMCT. And we must develop and stock maximum amounts of conventional weapons and delivery systems. In the Quran Allah has commanded Muslims to make ready weapons to combat enemies that we know of and those that we do not know of, but Allah knows who they are (approximate wording).

Asif Patel
Canada
Pakistan should have an internal locus of control and independent policies, which should not be affected, governed or directed by other countries.

Amjad Khan
Canada
I would like to salute the Prime Minister for taking such daring decisions on national security such as going ahead with the nuclear tests and the missile tests. That's the type of leader Pakistanis were looking for. Thanks a lot also to our great scientists. The whole nation is proud of them and the Prime Minister.

Omar Tanveer Jamali
Pakistan
I think the arms race between India and Pakistan which now includes nukes, missiles, is going to benefit neither Pakistan nor India. It is very amazing that first they borrow money and then they make arms from the borrowed money and then none of them has money to even pay the interest on this borrowed money and they still keep asking for rescheduling of debt. Is there any person on earth who in his right mind thinks that this is a right step? Is there any way this arms race could be stopped?

Junaid Shamim
Canada
Congratulations to prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan and all other scientists involved in the Ghauri-II. This response was an absolute necessity. It redresses military imbalance caused by Vajpayee's actions. As the head of a sovereign nation, Vajpayee of course had the right to do what he did, and we have a right to do what we did. It also belies the popular wisdom that the so-called world's only superpower always gets its way.

On a technical note, how was a 2,000 km range missile tested within Pakistan when no point in Pakistan is 2000 kms from the firing point (Jhang)? I wonder if it took an indirect path thus covering the said range; if it did its flight-time of 8 minutes is a significant improvement over Ghauri-I. If the range of the missile is as reported in the media, then practically all of India is within our range, but perhaps more importantly it has put Israel within the range of Iran, Sudan or Libya. Praise be to Allah.

Mustafa H. Rizvi
USA
In a reciprocal way, in so far as India and Pakistan were behaving towards each other, it is right. But in my opinion Pakistan should have exercised restraint, which was originated from the Lahore declaration. Maybe the Agni-II mission is a bit political compulsion for the present ruling alliance of India, not towards the cross borders, but to the opposition parties as a face lifting exercise.

Zawar Kazim
India
With the confidence Pakistan test fired the missile over land, it does appear to have been a proven missile. If so, the sole purpose being to be even with the test fights conducted by India... it does appear to be a waste. It would do good for both India and Pakistan (at least for the common people if not for the political party) if they had such spirit in developmental matters.

Matthews
USA
Pakistan had done what it should have done. Keeping the past 51 years of history with three bloody wars, it was necessary for Pakistan to demonstrate such a powerful position to keep the ill-willed Hindu mind awaken. After the nuclear tests, it was the need of the country's defence to possess and show its delivery capability. As Pakistan has achieved what was desired and needed, it should unilaterally stop this race, sign the CTBT as soon as possible. It will enhance its defensive image as a peace-loving nation. In return, Pakistan will take lead in gaining honour among the nations. We should take every possible step and effort to elevate our economy. A missile of better economy will have far greater impact than the continuation of the race.

Muhammad Yousaf Warraich
Japan
Mubarak to everybody in Pakistan. Yes this is the right step against the step taken by India a couple of days ago. Pakistani nation is a proud nation; it cannot live in any disappointment, so now they can take every step proudly in front of any Indian.

Javaid Ur Rehman
Malaysia
Absolutely no doubt about it. The decision was right. If India stops threatening Pakistan then only will Pakistan follow the other path.

Atique Punjabi
Hong Kong
Perfect; spend even more money that you don't have on missiles you'd never be allowed to use. Do the words 'economic collapse' mean anything to you? That's what India has always wanted - your eventual demise without ever crossing the border or sending in one Indian soldier.

Ajay
USA
I believe the tests are completely justified. It is also in line with our policy of Ummat-e-Mohammadi. We need to be strong and independent. It's unfortunate that we took that long due to our own wrongdoing and internal political problems. The western nations' claim that possession of nuclear weapons intensifies the arms race is true, as they are the ones who started it. We Pakistanis are legitimately worried due to India's nuclear arsenal, as were the Americans worried about the Cuban missile crisis. Good work Pakistan. We are proud of you.

Jamil Ahmad
USA
I think this test by Pakistan is absolutely justified. There can be too many reasons to justify it, but i would like to mention only two of them. First, it will give the Indian government a proper answer to their recent test that you can get a tit for tat answer from Pakistan for any aggressive move on any issue. Second, when we have the capability to develop such missiles, we have to test it and the data our scientists will collect from this test will allow them to improve further.

Muhammad Adnan Malik
Saudi Arabia
Pakistan is great. I wish that the Indian leaders got a bit sensible. This Pakistani test has been so devastating that India will never think about initiating the missile race again. Mr.Vajpayee and his think-tank are certainly ruing the mistake of challenging Pakistan.

Omar Wali Khan Khattak
Pakistan
Friendship(?) or Freedom. Which one's more important? Pakistan should always remember that friendship is important but not at the cost of freedom. Look at the status and situation of minorities (ethnic, religious and so-called untouchables) in India and then compare them with those in Pakistan. You'll see a difference. I don't support arms race; whether conventional or modern. But I know safety and survival comes first. I consider myself a peace lover and well- wisher of everyone. I'm strictly in favour of gun control. Guns aren't good to keep. But if my enemy gets a gun and threatens to kill me, trust me I'll get it as soon as I can. It's always better to have one and never use it then to have none when there is a need to use it.

Shehzada Gulfam
USA
I think it was a right decision by Pakistan. While India's test is keeping in view its security perceptions of China, the Pakistani mindset is fundamentally based on fear and apprehension of Indian intentions. So, firing Ghauri will re-assure the people of Pakistan, make them self-confident and push forward the peace process. If you noted, the Indian government was one of the few that did not object to Pakistan's nuclear blast, and in fact, Indian officals were very clear in stating that just as India has its own perception of its security threats, so does Pakistan, and being a sovereign country, Pakistan has every right to decide how to cope with its perceived security threats. To my mind, it makes a lot of sense. In another 50 years, I visualise South Asia as a federation of nation states, much like the European Union.

Bala
India
India's latest missile tests have shown that the Indians don't share the desire for peace as the Pakistanis do. Here we have Mr.Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani Prime Minister, who is trying so keen on ending all differences that exist with India and is even ready to give a red carpet welcome to a Hindu extremist and zealot like Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Indian Prime Minister. And then just when we start thinking that the Indians might have changed their jingoistic attitude, the same Vajpayee who talked so much of peace when in Lahore, announces a missile test. Now what does India expect from Pakistan other than a befitting response that they have got? Shame on India. They really deserve this. These people are really very deceptive. I won't trust them anymore.

Adnan Qureshi
Pakistan
It was the right step. We have to show the world and India what we are capable of.

Iqbal Mirza
California USA
I think it was a very right step for whole of the Muslim world.

Shamim
U.K
I say, a strong defence is vital for survival but is there any other way to resolve the disputes between countries where diseases, poverty, unemployment, lack of drinking water, sanitation and illiteracy are the major evils rather than enemies? These things need to be eliminated.

N. Ahmad
United Kingdom
I appreciate our Nobel Scientist who has done that work, in view of the problems we're facing in buying F16s, different type of weapon etc. We pay billion dollars on buying those things; if we make those in our country then unemployment will reduce. Since the Jews and Christians have nukes and missile technology, so it is necessary that the Muslim World have it as well.

Muhammed Akmal
Canada
Pakistan had no other choice left. A matching response was the need of the hour. I fully favour this step taken by our government.

Syed Waqas Shah
Rabwah, Pakistan.
Our nation lacks sincere and honest leaders without whom even if we had the whole fleet of U.S aircraft carriers, we would be vulnerable to inner and outer enemies. I therefore think that Ghauri II may have saved the government's nose but the nation is still in a desperate situation; many are unemployed and millions are below the poverty line.

Pir Wajeeh
Pakistan
I don't deny the fact that I hate Pakistanis. But I think that for India's development it is necessary that we compromise.

Amarjit Singh
USA
I think the government of Pakistan realised from the nuclear and missile tests by India, that it can use the situation for political gains, and that it knew that India was aware of Pakistan's nuclear and missile capabilities, it only conducted the tests for popularity. Educated people know even without these tests that Pakistan has the capability. We should have used these opportunities for international gains, and not to gain public popularity.

Farzal Dojki
USA
I am absolutely against this step because in Pakistan millions of people are without job and you can't do any thing anywhere without bribing. A Muslim country serving on interest, all the political leaders living like kings on the blood of poor people and all rich people can do any thing they want. Better think of the people who are suffering in all areas of life.

Mohammad Asif
Pakistan

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