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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Better Pakistan | Power generation projects

Better Pakistan | Power Generation Projects (Part II)


In the first part the efforts of PMLN for electricity generation was discussed and it was stated that the efforts of present PMLN government in Punjab(2008-date), will be discussed. So here in the coming lines we will present the efforts of Punjab Govt. in meeting the demands of electricity to the people of Punjab.

On 19th April 2010, NA of Pakistan passed the 18th amendment in constitution of Pakistan. According to that amendment several departments were transferred to provincial govts. Among those departments are the power generation department. Most of the opponents in this regard consider Punjab Govt. or in other words Shahbaz Sharif responsible for the load shedding in Punjab. For them it was an agreement between one person and another to handover few papers. However, practical politics is very much different with the social media based politics. 

It happened unfortunately that even after the 18th amendment the working procedure and the shifting of departments was not a step function. It was a linear function with a poor slope. Departments were shifted with an intentional delay to deepen the crisis. Furthermore, several important parameters that are required by the investors are controlled by the federal Government. The fact that any investor requires a sovereign guarantee for investment, can only be provided by the Federal Govt. and the fact that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) is responsible for electricity tariff comes under Federal Govt. were  overlooked in the objections of the opponents. Its not because the opponents intentionally igonred these circumstances, its because as a nation we always want to  sparkle our political face by throwing mud on the efforts of other parties.  Remembering one title of a column by the de jure spokesman of PTI "زندگی اپنے محاسن پہ بسر ہوتی ہے اوروں کے عیوب پر نہیں "

Considering this brilliant advice we in the forthcoming lines will present the work done by PMLN during its tenure from 2008-2012 in Punjab. Using the available space and time,  as and when required, we will also try to recap the work done by the previous tenures of PMLN.

Story begins :

After the 18th amendment it was desired to set up organization to carry out the power generation projects. For this purpose an independent department was established which is known as Energy Department. The aim of this department is to pursue for power generation and oil and gas projects within Punjab. The functions of energy board are given here. This authority/department is responsible to design and inspect the work under the several acts related to power generation. The regulation of electric power is controlled by the Regulation of Generation, Transmission and Distribution of electric Power Act, 1997. Similarly for controlling the theft of electricity PMLN govt. in 1998 presented an ordinance. This ordinance is known as Offences in Respect of Electricity (Emergency Provisions) Ordinance, 1998. After establishing the basic department for the regulation of power generation, the Punjab department of Energy announced the revised version of energy policy 2006 in 2009. This policy formed the guidelines for the implementation of power projects through Punjab Power Development Board. This revised policy covers the power generation projects in public and private sectors. It also covers projects that are through private-public partnership.

The  proposed schedule given in revised energy policy for tariff approval from NEPRA is 60-180 days.  It is worth mentioning here that this regulatory authority was also established under the PMLN government, which passed NEPRA ACT in 1997. The energy department of Govt. of Punjab worked day and night under the command of Chief Minister Punjab to develop annual energy plan and strategy. The efficient work of PPDB is evident from the fact that within its budget capacity it has scheduled 35 projects. These projects together are able to inject 254.24 MW in the national grid. One project is run of water. The detail of these projects are given here. All projects are scheduled to be finished by 2014. May be someone else will be cashing our projects just like Gen. Musharraf spent his time by cashing the work of PMLN. 

On Sept. 15, 2011 Punjab Assembly passed an Act known as THE PUNJAB POWER DEVELOPMENT BOARD ACT 2011. It was assented to by the Governor of the Punjab on September 30, 2011; and, was published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated 3 October 2011, pages 37367-71. This act formed the basis for the for the establishment of the Punjab Power Development Board for the implementation of policies of the Government to facilitate the private investors in power sector and to harness the energy generation resources in the province.

For the first time in the history of Pakistan nontraditional methods of power generation are initiated by the PMLN govt. These projects include
  1. Biomass projects
  2. Waste to energy projects
  3. Biogas power projects
  4. Solar power projects
The Punjab govt. has planned spent more than PKR 88k Million till 2014. The development budget of Punjab Energy department is PKR 9000 Million in the year 2011-12. The detail of the  development budget can be seen in Annex-2 of annual plan of energy department of Punjab.

It is also worthy to consider the failure of Nandipur power project (425 MW). The Nanidpur power project is a perfect example of the selfishness and mismanagement of federal govt. The machinery required for the establishment of this power plant was intentionally halted at the Karachi port despite of the sue moto action taken by the Supreme court of Pakistan. The machinery was kept at Karachi port on the name of legal complications for 2 year, after all it was to be used for the people of Punjab and PMLN was the one who had a contract with the Chinese company. On Sept. 8,2012 it was reported on local newspaper that Chinese have cancelled the said project because of the delays in the commencement of the project.

The govt. of Punjab has also started the Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Program under the ADB Loan No. 2286-PAK . Various projects under this program are shown in this report and in the figure below.


The location plan for Okara hydro power project is shown below (Source: Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Program (REDSIP)).


Similarly, under the same program Marala Hydro Power Project worth 7.64 MW and Pakpatan Hydro Power Project worth 2.85 MW is also in progress. The initiatives of PMLN lead Punjab Govt. for power generation are given below [Reference: Punjab Power Management Unit].

  • Part-A:    Construction of five HPPs   (OCR Loan 2286-PAK)
    • Construction of Marala HPP (7.62 MW) RD. 2+850 UCC, Distt. Sialkot
    • Construction of Deg Out-Fall (4.04 MW) RD.282+340 UCC Distt. Sheikhupura
    • Construction of Pakpattan (2.82 MW) RD.112+350, Pakpattan Canal
    • Construction of Okara (4.16 MW) RD.199+000 LBDC, Distt. Okara
    • Construction of Chianwali (5.38 MW) RD.130+000 UCC Distt. Gujranwala

  • Part-B:   Feasibility Studies of additional five HPPs (OCR Loan 2286-PAK)
    • Lower Chenab Canal (LCC), (7.55 MW), RD. 0 +000       
    • Khanki Barrage   (KB), (14.9 MW), Right Bypass
    • Qadirabad Barrage (QB), (23.00 MW),   Right Bypass
    • Upper Chenab Canal (UCC), (3.58 MW),   RD. 133+ 296
    • Qadirabad Balloki Link Canal (QBLC), (7.68 MW),   RD. 304+985

  • Part-C Capacity Development of Energy Deptt.    (ADF Loan 2286-PAK))
    • Construction of office complex of PPDCL and Allied entities of Energy Department.
    • Management Consultants for Office Complex Building.
    • Capacity Development through Consultants, seminars, local/foreign training
We hope that the cultivation of these projects should be made by the founders PMLN, not by some one else like it happened in the past that the incompetent Parvaiz Elahi and co. spent their 5 years tenure on the projects designed by PMLN.

The Punjab Energy department has formulated the strong case of Punjab on their website, which is  presented below (Red colored text) for ready reference.


Punjab Energy Scenario:
An Overview of Energy Scenario in Punjab
Brief Facts

Ø       Punjab contributes 65 % of GDP
Ø       Punjab contains 60% of all industry with more than 48,000 units
Ø       Punjab consumes 62% - 68% of the total national consumption of electricity
Ø       Punjab currently faces shortfall of electricity around 3300 MW
Ø       SNGPL is facing shortage of 700 MMcfd
Ø       CNG stations across the province are closed for 3 days a week
Ø       6-18 hours of power load shedding during peak demand is a norm in urban and rural areas
Ø       Severe Gas shortages
Ø       DISCOs located in Punjab not only have low distribution losses but their revenue collection efficiency is better than the DISCOs located in other provinces (Annex 1). Thus the province of Punjab ends up subsidising the losses of other provinces both financially and in terms of load-shedding
Ø       Despite being the largest consumer of power and gas, Punjab has no control over quantum, duration and usage of either gas or power
Ø       Energy Department has facilitated and initiated more than 55 power generation projects in public and private sector with combined capacity of more than 1300 MW
Electricity Demand and Consumption (Punjab) – 12 Jan 2012

DISCO

Demand (MW)
Supply (MW)
Shortfall (MW)
LESCO

2500
1500
1000
FESCO

1250
800
450
IESCO

1468
927
541
GEPCO

1221
789
432
MEPCO

1678
761
917


8117
4774
3340
Ø       Electricity Consumption in Punjab is 62% - 68% of the total national consumption 
Gas– Demand and Supply – Jan 2012

Entity
Demand – Million CFt per day
Supply – Million CFt per day

Shortfall MMCFD
National
5000

3800
1200
SNGPL
2625

1925
700

Ø       CNG Stations across the province are facing three days a week closure

System Efficiencies


  • The above table indicates that DISCOs located in Punjab not only have low distribution losses but their revenue collection efficiency is also much better than the DISCOs located in other provinces. Thus the province of Punjab ends up subsidising the losses of other provinces both financially and in terms of load-shedding.
  • Currently, PEPCO receivables stand at Rs. 284 billion out of which receivables against the Government of Punjab are only Rs. 6 billion, however, Punjab is facing proportionally more load-shedding as compared to other parts of the country.

 Implications for Punjab
Punjab is the worst affected province:

  • 6-18 hours of power load shedding during peak demand is a norm in urban and rural area.
  • 3-4 days gas load shedding in Punjab
  • Serious negative implications for Punjab of Constitutional provision that the province in which a well-head is natural gas is situated shall have precedence over other parts of Pakistan in meeting requirements from a well-head.
  • Most of the industry is running on 40 to 50% capacity resulting in large scale lay-offs and unemployment with serious law & order and social implications
  • Despite being the largest consumer of power and gas, Punjab has no control over quantum, duration and usage of either gas or power
  •  Several industrialists have threatened to move out of the province if their gas supply issue is not resolved.
  • Textile production in the province has dropped 25 per cent in textile sector owing to the gas shortage.
  • Hundreds of thousands workers have become unemployed as a result.

There are arguments that might come against PMLN but the facts must be liberal in nature. The fact that the federal govt. is controlling the power flow in national grid through federally administrated PEPCO and the tariff decision is not in the control of  Punjab govt. is evident that who is actually responsible for the failure of Nandipur Power Project of PMLN lead Punjab Govt. The unjustified load shedding schedule specifically designed for Punjab to fan the flame of hatred against PMLN. It should be noted that the distribution companies in Punjab have impressive recovery rate. The industrialists of Punjab are becoming the victim of PPP govt. The anguish of those who have been severely affected by the load shedding is destabilizing the economical situation of country. However, we do not claim that we are prefect but it is also not justified to claim that Punjab govt. is responsible for power outages in Punjab.


Friday, September 28, 2012

Martyrs of Democracy | Ghulam Haider Wyne

Martyrs of Democracy | Ghulam Haider Wyne


The struggle for democracy and empowerment of people is not easy. People have sacrificed their lives for a prosperous democratic Pakistan.  PMLN as the largest conservative political force in Pakistan has seen sacrifices of its major regional and central leaders. Martyrs of democracy is not a tale, it is a history that is written by the blood of those who sacrificed their present for our future. Ghulam Haider Wyne was one such hero who was brutally martyred by terrorists in Mianchannu (A small city on Lahore-Multan National Highway) during the campaign for general elections in 1993. This first episode of Martyrs of Democracy is dedicated to the former CM Punjab, Late Ghulam Haider Wyne.


Ghulam Haider Wyen was always a hard man to hold back. He was among the most down to earth politicians who never capitulated even the most adverse circumstances. Throughout his political life he served Pakistan Muslim League as a die hard karkun and his peculiar disposition towards the fellow workers remained same even after he was elected as the CM Punjab. The lifestyle of Wyne tells us that he had never dreamt that he would be the CM of the largest province of Pakistan. He was a true rags to riches story unfolding in an Arcadian town of Mianchannu.


Wyne belonged to a lower middle class family and uplifted his carrier from a post of a stanographer to the Punjab's number one in a span of three decades. Wyne was a high school student when his family migrated to Pakistan. He could not continue his studies after metric due to financial problems. 

He made his politcal debute as an ordinary worker and by his hard work he was elected as a BD member in 1961 during the autocratic period of Ayub Khan. He was elected as general secretary PML, Punjab when various factions of Pakistan Muslim League allied after the disintegration of Pakistan. From then on, he experienced each and every slot of the political system. The sheer shard work made him an integral part of Pakistan Muslim League. 


In 1985 he was elected as Member Provincial Assembly Punjab and in 1988 he was elected as Member National Assembly of Pakistan. He was assigned portfolios for provincial minister for education, industry, Planning & Development and Labor & Industry during Mian Nawaz Sharif tenure as CM Punjab. He was given the chores of leader of the opposition in NA in 1988 but later he abandoned the seat for Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi on the behest of the party. After the dismissal of PPP govt. in 1990 he was nominated as the care taker CM Punjab. He won 1990 elections on provincial seat and was elected leader of the house Punjab Assembly on November 08,1990 with an over whelming vote of 201 against his PDA rival and leader of the opposition Rana Ikram Rabbani who polled only eight votes. He had to go a long way before finally holding the slot of CM Punjab. He was unanimously elected as President PML Punjab. The only office that remained to be occupied by him was that of the Prime Minister.

He was termed as the biggest trouble maker by the rival political leaders as he being aware of the whole political system inside out, never let the political leaders to get away with their fallacies. He had always been obsessed with the rules and regulation as he never took any decision which was not in accordance with the books. In a country where nepotism and favoritism is considered to be the only merit, he initiated and adhered to a policy according to which each and everyone was to deserve in compliance with the rules and procedure. During his regime his performance was considered to be memorable. During his tenure he vested powers to the ministers but directed them to adhere on the merit policy. For the implementation of merit policy in its true essence, he went to the extent of taking action against the wife of former provincial Law minister Nasrullah Dreshak, Sarosh Sultan who was involved in co-operative scam. It should be kept in mind that Nasrullah Dreshak was among those 4 IJI members who proposed the name of Wyne for the election of CM .


He also developed serious differences with then PA speaker Mian Manzoor Watoo which resulted in his deposition from the seat of chief minister. Throughout his political carrier, he thrived with his hands clean and he had no regrets as such. The only blot he used to regret was his decision to join Ziaul Haq Majlis e Shoora. Much to the annoyance of others, Wyen played a key role in abolishing the dual membership of assemblies and the local bodies. His biggest achivement during his chief ministeship was to put a lid on out of turn promotions. Throughout his service as a CM Punjab he did not even make a single direct appointment to the privileged posts like Tehsildars and Sub inspectors. As politics of the country thrived on these things, his colleagues developed certain kind of hatred for his hard lined policies.

He being a strong Leaguee was always against the moves to weaken PMLN. I wonder what he would thought if seeing Chaudharies making Q league. Once in May 1992 while addressing the supervisory committees for PML enrollment he said " The "Ghapla League" Functional league and Eid Millan party were considered moves to weaken the PMLN. Some disgruntled elements are busy in such moves after having failed to get the party tickets". As President of PMLN Punjab, he also directed to finish 40,000 primary units of PML in Punjab. 



The allegation against him of being vindictive to his party mates was perhaps owing to the fact that he always detested to oblige the party mates in violation of the rules and regulations. Wyne was known to take stern actions when it comes to party. On August 22,1991 PML dissident Zahid Sarfraz was expelled form the party upon not responding at the show cause notice issued by Sec. Gen.  of PML. Wyne in his decision stated that this action has been taken on the recommendation of PML working committee. He was also the founder of Nazria-Pakistan trust.  During the Nawaz- Ishaq crisis he stuck to his guns and made all efforts to save PML government in Punjab. He use to be quite critical of Ghulam Ishaq Khan and he always termed him as the root cause for putting the country in dire-straits. 

Wyne had to face the music for his hard lining policies when the vote of no confidence was tabled against him.  Although many of the MPAs voted against him to save the assembly from being dissolved yet a number of them also took revenge as they had faced a lot of distress at the hands of the late Wyen by not complying with their vested interests. 


Being the head of PMLN Punjab and former CM Punjab he was actively involved in uplifting the lives of people of Punjab. The politics of Wyne was so clean that even the opponents during his life and after his murder still praises him. 



After being dethroned from the seat of CM, he continued to strives against the decision of the President pertaining to the dissolution of assemblies. His never-say-die attitude enabled him to take on the untoward events and strive for the best. He was quite optimistic that the coming elections would pave way for PML to enter the power corridors again.


He had always been critical and hostile towards the policies of PPP. He hold PPP responsible for disintegration of Pakistan. He spent all his life contesting elections against jageerdars and waderas, who were not ready to accept the idea of a a middle man holding the office they considered their birth right. For the very reasons he had a soft corner for the small agriculturists of the country.

The darvesh, who had always dressed most humbly had no enmity with any one except for the few who came under fire due to his strict merit policy. He was contesting elections from NA 123 on PMLN ticket and was hoping to win the elections when on 29th of September 1991 he was murdered.

Views of Rana Iqbal Speaker Punjab Assembly on Barsi of Ghulam haider Wyne | Year 2010


The stories of his murder as per the news reports are as follows.

"The suspected murderer was son of a suspect who was killed in a police encounter during Wyne's tenure as CM Punjab. The day on which Wyne was murdered he was coming back to his hometown Chichawatni from a village Shahkot. His driver and two other workers were also with them. The suspects had left no choice for Wyne to escape as they had destroyed a small bridge on canal. They ordered the drivers and two other workers out of the vehicle and forced them to turn their face towards the fields. Meanwhile, Ch.Wyne had locked the vehicle doors. The killers forced him to open the door but he didn't. They broke the front left door and reportedly one suspect put his 0.12 bore gun on his chest and took no time in triggering it. Later, they dragged him out of vehicle and confirmed that he is dead, they left the place. "

"Basti nusratpur is situated along the left bank of Ravi River and is 14km away from MianChannu. It is widespread and about 25 families of Malooka caste comprising about 500 to 600 persons reside there. Most of the inhabitants of this basti are said to be professional criminals. They reportedly used to commit crimes in different areas of Multan Division and earn their living through their means. Police could not crush these criminals because they used to cross the river and take shelter there. Malookas are notorious criminals and local landlords also allegedly use the for their political and other ends. Ch. Ghulam Haider Wyne reportedly directed the Talumba Police to take stern action against these criminals and consequently their ring leader was killed during the police encounter in 1992. The activities of the criminals of Basti NusratPur were under control during the period of the chief ministership of Ch. Wyne.

Mr. Wyne murder appears politically motivated because the residents of the Basti had hatched plot to murder him and made all preparations. They were all out to murder him at all cost and they took the positions at different points of his route. They first planed to murder Mr.Wyne in the Basti soon after his arrival and then to kill him in the way if he escapes the first attempt. "



The NATION report on 30th of Sept. 1993 provided facts that the whole area is a stronghold of Malooks who have criminal cases against them.  Another news report of 30th of September 1993 tells us that former PM and President PMLN Mian Nawaz Sharif was seen in great grief on hearing about the barbrousl murder of his companion. He was addressing a public meeting that he turned into a condolence meeting. He said "No true Pakistani can assassinate a person like Ghulam Haider Wyne". He said the principled Wyne, who had been working for a Nobel cause with a missionary zeal, has laid down his life for Pakistan , PMLN WILL CONTINUE HIS MISSION.

It was also reported that on hearing the news of the incident, Nawaz Sharif become impassionate and started weeping abruptly. He was of the view Wyne's death showed that the true Muslim leaguer is willing to pay the supreme sacrifice for the cause of Pakistan.

Paying rich tributes to Wyne Mian Nawaz Sharif Said 

"Ghulam Haider Wyen was a true and loyal Pakistani and pioneer of politics of decency."

We miss you Sir Ghulam haider Wyne.

کالم کار - سلیم صافی

کالم کار 

Dated May 17,2011 Daily Jang





Thursday, September 27, 2012

Arches of history | Episode 4

Arches of history | Interview of Kh. Saad Rafiq

Earlier in the series:

This time we present here an interview of Khawaja Saad Rafique . It was published in Sunday Magazine Nawai-e-Waqt on June 27,2004.


Sunday, September 23, 2012

کالم کار - حامد میر

کالم کار 

Dated Feb 02,2012 Daily Jang



Friday, September 21, 2012

کالم کار - زاہدہ حنا

کالم کار 

From our archives. An old column of Zahida Hina dated 26 May,2009. Published in Daily Express.



Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Better Pakistan | National defense

Better Pakistan | National Defense 


A nation without a strong defense is at a mercy of an aggressor. Pakistan right after its birth is facing serious threats form its eastern borders and had faced the humiliation of Dhaka fall in 1971 after India invaded Eastern Pakistan, while been backed up by Russian Federation. We also faced tremendous difficulties after the US congress imposed on us the Pressler sanctions in 1985. Under such circumstances, it was necessary to start indigenous production of weapons. It is pertinent to mention that after India tested their first nuclear device in 70s it was decided by then PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to start our nuclear program for defense applications. The defense system was further boosted after Pakistan decided to go for missile development. 

Keeping in mind that our country has faced several sanctions by USA and its allies it has always been a daring task for the govt. to initiate defense projects. The designing, development and production of any particular device needs a long and tedious process. Acquiring sensitive equipment, transfer of technology and then indigenous development is complex and besides being technically sound the support from govt. on economical and diplomatic fronts is necessary.

During the two tenures of PMLN, we took the most daring steps from the development of missile boats to the nuclear tests. In this blog post we are presenting the bold work of PMLN govt. for strengthening the defense of Pakistan.

As it has been discussed that in 1985 US congress imposed sanctions on Pakistan thus halting the supply of spare parts for Pak Armed forces, it was necessary to start indigenous development of these devices. Several new organizations were created during the first tenure of PMLN. In 1990, Pak Army Air defense corps were equipped by shoulder fired men portable surface to air missile ANZA. During 1990, R & D work began for up gradation of Type59 Tank. That phase was successfully completed in 1997. For strengthening the Navel force of Pakistan PMLN during its first enure approved the establishment of a new navel base in Baluchistan. This navel base in known as Jinnah Navel Base. The construction of this base was started in 1990 and the first phase was finished during the second tenure of PML i.e in April 1997. PNS Qasim was commissioned as a training cum depot unit on Nov 25,1990. In Oct 1991, PNS Ahsan was commissioned in Pak NAVY. This unit acts as a coastal radar station for surveillance. During the first tenure of PMLN (1990-93) the govt. of Pakistan signed an agreement for the development of Main Battle Tank which is known as Al Khalid MBT. In 1991, field trials were carried out while the ground facilities for its development was completed in Taxila HMC in 1992.  The missile program was assigned to NDC which was established during the first tenure of PMLN 1990-93. This organization latter proved its worth by providing state of the art missile technology to Pakistan. In Feb,1992 Air Weapon Complex was established to quench the requirements of Pakistan Air Force. In 1992, an intelligent computer based generic system based on Micro-Vax technology was inducted at electronic warfare training center of Pak Navy. PNS KALMAT which is a twin screw coastal oil tanker cum cargo vessel was indigenous development at Karachi shipyard and Engg. works, was commissioned on 29th August 1992. Similarly, an Eriden class mine hunter PNS MUNSIF was commissioned in PN on 26 oct, 1992 during the first tenure of PMLN.


The second tenure of PMLN brought a new revolution to Pakistan when huge projects were initiated. Those days were tense in the sense that an extremist Hindu party BJP took charge of Indian Govt. The requirements of Pak Army were full filled well in time, in the form of conventional weapon systems and in the form of advance missile system. In 1997, Pak Army was delivered 95+24 M198- 155mm Howitzer.  Also during the second tenure of PMLN Pak Army procured T-80 battle tanks from Ukarine. PN commissioned several missile boats that were manufactured in Pakistan. Among those were PNS Jalalat commissioned on August 14, 1997. The missile system of Pakistan also had a major breakthrough  when in July 1997, Pakistan tested Hataf III Ghaznawi which can hit within a range of 600 km. On 24th July,1997 The test-firing of ANZA surface to air missile by Pakistan was an action that determined the safeguarding of National security interests. It is pertinent to mention that ANZA can hit any aircraft from surface to an altitude of 60,000 feet. On same day  an anti tank missile BAKTARSHIKAN was successfully tested too.




In 1998, the development of a new tank started  in HIT-Pakistan, which resulted in a new and a robust tank known as Al-Zarrar. Furthermore, for the better and fast infantry operation, in 1998, Pakistan started the design work on an Armored Personal Carrier named Talha. On the question of weapon race in the region The Federal Minister of Information Mushahid Hussain while,talking on "Pakistan and the changing regional scenario " at Bangladesh Institude of Int. Strategic Studies Dhaka, clearly told the world 

"If India justifies its arm build up under the garb of its security concerns, by the same token, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh have the right to take measures for their security"

03 May 1998

On April 6,1998 Pakistan successfully tested Ghauri I that is capable to hit all major cities of India. It was because of this missile that forced the Indian Air Force to shift its Jodhpur Headquarters. On Decemeber 13,1998 a modified version of ANZA was test fired. This laser guided missile ANZA I was tested by the Army Air defense units. On 28th May, 1998 Pakistan conducted Nuclear tests that effectively equalizes the balance of power in the region.


  
03 May 1998


On 15th April 1999, Pakistan test fired Shaheen missile with a lethal range of 600km [Witness to blunder by Col. Ishfaq Hussain Page 81].  In Sept, 1999 Pakistan Navy got commissioned another Missile boat PNS Shujjat. For undersea warfare Augasta 90B was commissioned in PN on Sept 6,1999 and was named PNS/M KHALID. On 9th of July, Pakistan commissioned first indigenous Mine Hunter PNS MUJAHID.

25 June 98
   

In June 1999, Mian Nawaz Sharif being the PM of Pakistan signed an  agreement with Chinese government for the designing and development of JF-17 thunder multi-role fighter aircraft. Furthermore, in April 1999 PAF got its first installment of used Mirage IIIE. It is also worth mentioning that a a batch of 50 F-7PG were ordered from China in early 1999. The batch delivery completed in April 2002.



The marvelous missile program of Pakistan was hailed by the Saudi Defense minister when, after the Pakistan's nuclear tests, he said that our missile program is a guarantee for the supremacy of Muslim world. 




Thank you PMLN for strengthening Pakistan