I made Pakistan a nuclear state, says Nawaz
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LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday that he was punished for making Pakistan’s defence insurmountable. In a statement issued in connection with Yaum-e-Takbir anniversary (May 28 when Pakistan conducted nuclear tests), Mr Sharif said it was a day of integrity and national character for which he faced prison and exile which he wore as a pride for this service for national pride and insurmountable defence. Mr Sharif is currently in the Kot Lakhpat jail serving a seven-year term in the Al Azizia Steel Mills corruption reference.
Mr Sharif said on May 28 Pakistan emerged on the world map as a nuclear power, a day that celebrated the valour and matchless resilience of Pakistanis and that of alarm and annihilation of the enemies of Pakistan who dare dream of aggression against the motherland.
Read: Test results: Have nuclear weapons secured Pakistan?
He said that 21 years ago this decision was made amidst threats of crippling economic sanctions and billions of dollars in return for not going ahead with the tests. However, he said, the power of God Almighty and the unanimous support of the people enabled him to take this crucial decision which time has proven to be the best step in the right direction in national interest.
Mr Sharif said that international powers wary of Pakistan’s insurmountable defence, progress and stability rose up yet again when he decided to take the second most momentous decision of bringing CPEC to Pakistan which would make Pakistan truly an economically sovereign country. The same interest group, in order to destroy this economic progress led a witch-hunt against him to sabotage this programme as a result of which he was being held accountable for crimes he had never even thought of committing.
Mr Sharif said he did not fear this persecution 21 years back and he would not let up against them even now because he was willing to pay any price to uphold Pakistan’s physical or economic sovereignty.He said that from the dungeon of the persecution that he was currently confined to, he wanted to assure his nation that he did not kneel to those who conspired against the country back then and would compromise on it now.
Read: 20 years of nukes: What have we learnt?
“The PML-N and it’s leadership will continue to struggle for the destiny Pakistan and its people deserve and God Almighty will always help him in this cause,” he concluded.
Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2019
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Comments (112) Closed
May 28, 2019 10:15am
Really!
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May 28, 2019 10:17am
These corrupt leaders all of them want to take credit for Pakistan becoming a nuclear state as if it happened overnight. Credit should be given to the military without whom we would be in doldrums. Regrettably, past civilian rulers have been corrupt that’s why they have become rich overnight. A change is in the air with the leadership of PM IK although the corrupt mafia are desperately trying for him to fail. Pakistani public have got the message and hopefully support IK despite hard times fair a little while.
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May 28, 2019 10:20am
Why do we allow such statements from a corrupt guy to be Published from jail. He is history and we need to move forward towards progress and pay less attention to the corrupt mafia. Corrupt mafia has ruined this beautiful country thus less publicity to them Please!
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May 28, 2019 10:31am
And Bankrupt too
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May 28, 2019 10:38am
So Dr. Qadeer, Zia, ZAB and many others contributed nothing in making Pakistan nuclear power and all credit goes to Mr. Nawaz Shareef? Don't think so.
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May 28, 2019 10:39am
Its army, not you... sorry for the truth
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May 28, 2019 10:45am
Iiar ....
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May 28, 2019 10:47am
Sorry ... it was combined efforts of different govts starting from mr bhutto ... one thing is for sure you made corruption official
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May 28, 2019 11:22am
Once again blowing his own trumpet. You don't see western leaders praising their 'achievements' every five minutes.
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May 28, 2019 11:35am
Is he changed is name from NZ to AQ Khan??
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May 28, 2019 12:14pm
Lying bas.....
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May 28, 2019 12:15pm
You only sold Pakistan and made her weak. So stop lying in the month of Ramadan.
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May 28, 2019 12:17pm
yep... all the resources and steel came from ittefaq foundries.
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May 28, 2019 12:19pm
Only thing you make is yourself and for your corrupt family. Politics is a mode of business and corruption was the mode of making money. So rest assure we pray that you find your ultimate punishment very soon and your longest dram might end soon.
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May 28, 2019 12:22pm
It was Qadeer Khan
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May 28, 2019 12:24pm
A hilarious statement by Nawaz....
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May 28, 2019 12:24pm
It was first proposed by Dr Qadeer and developed by him. He is the reason why Pakistan is safe today
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May 28, 2019 12:24pm
Yes Alhamdulillah we are a nuclear state capable of defending our interests, your government played a role in that Nawaz Sharif, but does that automatically give you the right to loot billions from our country?.
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May 28, 2019 12:27pm
Yes Sir, You had some control over the economy and also made us a Nuclear state.
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May 28, 2019 12:27pm
@Juxtice, -------- the dark side of , freedom of speech.
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May 28, 2019 12:28pm
It was Nawaz Sharif who decided to test the device against the US pressure. Due to that he was overthrown a year later by Musharraf with the support of the US.
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May 28, 2019 12:29pm
@iffi, you said it. thanks.
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May 28, 2019 12:34pm
"I made Pakistan a nuclear state, says Nawaz " Can he explain how nuclear bomb works? Can he explain what material and components were required to make it? Can he explain how these materials were acquired?
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May 28, 2019 12:38pm
Why his statements from jail are being published?
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May 28, 2019 12:40pm
How he is talking to media, isn't he in Jail !! ???
what kind of law we have in our country..
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May 28, 2019 12:43pm
He is a liar, a coward, and a thief!
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May 28, 2019 12:43pm
Liar, Liar........
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May 28, 2019 12:44pm
By the way the nuclear program always falls into the jurisdiction of the military. If anyone should take credit, it's them.
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May 28, 2019 12:48pm
Pakistan did not become a nuclear state with just the press of a 'button'. Recognize the hardwork of the common team members and others involved. PMLN's one-man-show mentality causes them more harm than good.
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May 28, 2019 12:54pm
No, you did not make Pakistan a nuclear state. You, however, brought Pakistan to the brink of bankruptcy with your policies and that is an undeniable fact.
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May 28, 2019 12:54pm
This man and his supporters are utterly without shame.
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May 28, 2019 12:56pm
Really? did you make in ittifaq foundry?
You forgot to say you made the London properties out of Pakistan assets?
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May 28, 2019 01:00pm
You destroyed us. Please just go!
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May 28, 2019 01:00pm
This corrupt leader also claimed to have started development of the JF17 programme.
What a joke!
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May 28, 2019 01:02pm
Did making a nuclear state achieve growth and prosperity for your citizens? Did it eradicate polio or increase GDP?
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May 28, 2019 01:04pm
That phase is done and dusted. Talk about your corruption and properties you acquired in London.
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May 28, 2019 01:05pm
And what about the looting the country and leaving it at the brink of bankruptcy! Do you know Ishaq Dar? And your own sons with multimillion dollars properties? If you were a hero, you would not be sitting in a jail cell today!
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May 28, 2019 01:14pm
Is he addressing from the jail?
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May 28, 2019 01:15pm
So, he is very important person, keep him safe in jail
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May 28, 2019 01:16pm
You didn't carry out nuclear explosion rather you dropped the nuclear bomb of loot and plunder on people of Pakistan. I hope you, your family and supporters realize the enormity of your crimes against Pakistan.
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May 28, 2019 01:17pm
Abdul qadeer Khan a Pashtun!
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May 28, 2019 01:20pm
Not sure about NS’s claim making Pakistan nuclear however NS & Co surely made Pakistan bank corrupt.
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May 28, 2019 01:20pm
No! Really?
Did you also come up with the idea of the creation of Independent Pakistan!?
Why is this convict allowed to make such statements out of jail, is simply mindboggling. Is he not the same guy who thinks he's a hero, a savior of the masses - who loves to shop at Bond Street boutiques or Kensington Dept. Stores lives in Mayfair and owns tony penthouses on Park Lane - all with money stolen from the very poor people of Pakistan??
What's next? He will probably claim he came up with the idea of Man's landing on the Moon!?
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May 28, 2019 01:22pm
Our famous nuclear scientist and the army made Pakistan a nuclear state, you just happened to be in the PM chair at the time Mr Sharif....btw...Bhutto dynasty claiming the same thing as you.
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May 28, 2019 01:22pm
Who let this convicted felon corrupt Nawaz Sharif issue statements from jail?
So he stole and money laundered our national wealth for any good thing he did for Pakistan!
In his opinion stealing is justified?
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May 28, 2019 01:22pm
well you did not! but you ,made the country bankrupt.
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May 28, 2019 01:25pm
How on earth can a convict make a public statement?
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May 28, 2019 01:27pm
And this liar was our PM for so long. Shame in those who supported and still support him.
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May 28, 2019 01:28pm
A big lie to the nation. He was never for nuclear Pakistan. It was pressure from Pak Army that nuclear testing was conducted.
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May 28, 2019 01:28pm
Convict Nawaz is a declared criminal by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, because the money laundered Pakistani people's wealth abroad.
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May 28, 2019 01:29pm
Which is why Dollar reached to 124 at the end of your tenure ?
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May 28, 2019 01:38pm
He made Pak a nuclear state (don't agree), but didn't kept a foreign minister for 4 and a half years so that not a single word may be uttered against our neighbors.
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May 28, 2019 01:43pm
Yeah right! Itefaq foundries made the nuclear bomb.
Zulfiqar Bhutto started the program, Zia Ul Haq consolidated it further, Pakistani scientists developed the program and nuclear capabilities.
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May 28, 2019 01:45pm
Father of 'nuclear power Pakistan' now in the Kot Lakhpat jail serving a 7-year term for a corruption case.
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May 28, 2019 01:50pm
Not sure Mian Nawaz Sharif made us a nuclear state but surely himself and Asif Ali Zardari was leading us towards a failed state.
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May 28, 2019 01:50pm
In fact all the governments starting from PM ZAB can take the credit.
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May 28, 2019 01:53pm
The only legacy of NS and his infamous family shall remain, for single-handedly stealing a massive amount of public funds and leading a corrupt party to ruin the nation and wasting precious resources for personal benefits and glorification. Nothing else!
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May 28, 2019 02:09pm
Nawaz is feeling much better.
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May 28, 2019 02:11pm
@Juxtice, - - Jail has not dimmed any of his self importance.
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May 28, 2019 02:18pm
Credit should go to Z.A.Bhutto who initiated nuclear program and faced tremendous pressure, even to his personal life. He did not bow down. Then General Zia very intelligently continued the program. Ghulam Ishaq Khan did the same.
We do not see that Nawaz Sharif had any role in making Pakistan Nuclear state. Exloding did in his time, so what? Such thing do occur every now and then. Just few days back, missile test fired successfully done. This doesn't mean that Imran Khan did that. We should not be credit thief.
We should not distort history. Z.A. Bhutto should be recognized for making Pakistan Nuclear state.
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May 28, 2019 02:28pm
You should not have done that.
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May 28, 2019 02:35pm
But on another side you did corruption please bring back looted money...
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May 28, 2019 02:41pm
How exactly?
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May 28, 2019 02:45pm
And that is why the country is bankrupt today.
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May 28, 2019 02:46pm
Hardly something to be proud of when there is poverty, illiteracy and unemployment every where in the country.
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May 28, 2019 02:51pm
No he didnt. The credit goes to Bhutto.
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May 28, 2019 03:06pm
If Z buhtto had not been killed then I think Pakistan would have been a much more respected and progressive country.
In his short time he put Pakistan on the right track.
Zia ruined the country.we have been paying the price ever since.
As long as the leaders are corrupt and sellouts
We don't stand a chance.
We need to start again to save the country.
The public need to use their intelligence and vote for honest leaders.
DON'T listen to their words.
Only judge by actions.
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May 28, 2019 03:07pm
this is false claim...MNS was against nuclear test
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May 28, 2019 03:09pm
Why a criminal allowed to give statement...then every criminals should also get the same facility
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May 28, 2019 03:13pm
What an arrogant person!
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May 28, 2019 03:14pm
@Aftab, Yes all these leaders contributed in the development of a nuclear device. The decision to test the device happened during NS time. He was under lot of pressure from US and Europeon countries not to detonate but he resisted the pressure and decided to go ahead anyway. Crippling Economic sanctions against Pakistan during Bill Clinton era followed but the country endured these tough times. Finally US agreed that Pakistan needed the A bomb against foreign threats and its survival. I hope this will clarify the the point.
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May 28, 2019 03:17pm
"He was not in favour of conducting of atomic test instead he was more inclined towards accepting the US's offer of 5 billions but other members including me were have different opinion then we conducting tbe test"
Gohar Ayuab
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May 28, 2019 03:19pm
And at the same time I made incalculable wealth and fortune for my family inside and outside of Pakistan.
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May 28, 2019 03:20pm
So, a twice convicted criminal who was unable or unwilling to answer as to the source of his enormous wealth still keeps repeating his worn out mantra. Better if he could convince his runaway extended family to return to Pakistan and show some decency. Maybe he should even tell his convicted daughter to forget her dreams becoming PM because it is not the Kingdom of their family any longer and has now started on the road to being a democracy! Game over.
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May 28, 2019 03:26pm
You didn't do nothing.....but just cut the ribbon. The programme was initiated during ZAB time. Thank the scientists.
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May 28, 2019 03:28pm
All credit goes to India which forced Pakistan go nuclear
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May 28, 2019 03:40pm
People do not boost about their nuclear assets. They are a deterrent and should not be talked about.
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May 28, 2019 03:43pm
When I was writing my view there were 49 comments & out of 49 comments, 3 were in his favour.
This man Nawaz did one thing very successfully that was portraying his role of 'an economic hit man," his performance in that role was Oscar-winning. He literally nuked our economy & destroyed all our institutions.
The self-proclaimed Nelson Mandela of Pakistan was even not sincere with his party workers. Asking for agitations against the govt. but secretly begging mercy( NRO) by keeping mum months after months. Hipocracy at its best.
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May 28, 2019 03:46pm
What a joke! He happened to be in the country and filling his pockets when others made it happen and he takes credit.
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May 28, 2019 03:53pm
Pakistan economic condition is so worst that it doesn't deserve nuclear state tag.
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May 28, 2019 03:56pm
Either this guy think everyone is a fool or may be ...., taking credit for others achievement and contribution is indicative of persons shallow character
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May 28, 2019 04:08pm
You had no choice or option and btw it's the Army who did that not you
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May 28, 2019 04:13pm
Soon these words will be from ik too
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May 28, 2019 04:22pm
We all know who initiated our nuclear programe back in 70's and completed by our diligent scientist, engineers and army. Convicted Nawaz Sharif is only good at lies, fake news, deception and making money through black activities - this is his strength.
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May 28, 2019 04:30pm
Just opened my TV, saw Maryyum Nawaz who is a convincted, is live on TV, so what's going on, prisoners are allowed to say whatever they can, on live TV?? Where is PEMRA?
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May 28, 2019 04:31pm
Only he thinks so, in a delusional state in prison
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May 28, 2019 04:33pm
He is really delusional after spending time in prison far from his throne
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May 28, 2019 04:38pm
Liar to the core.
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May 28, 2019 04:43pm
Actually you made Pakistan penniless, deprived the poor and kept us back in science medicine and technology, you also mocked the law and all over a period of 3 terms. Meanwhile India reached new heights in these areas.
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May 28, 2019 04:56pm
You are a biggest LIAR. FULL STOP.
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May 28, 2019 05:19pm
At that time you were an ant when the Pakistani scientists with the invincible power of Army push harder to successfully devised the NB. Now your example is of that of a dragon that has devoured the national wealth of the downtrodden Pakistani nation. We are not blaming you. It is the honorable courts of justice that have proved you guilty and sent you behind the bars big brother.
Now the people of Pakistan would never listen to your bravado. They are right in their judgement because you are a proven criminal unfit to lead the nation on the basis of your unlawful wealth.
Better to keep silence rather than striking the wrong cords.
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May 28, 2019 06:30pm
Whilst Nawaz Sharif authorised the testing of nuclear device, it was the collective effort of his predecessors, including Bhutto and Zia, and numerous scientists and others, which achieved this objective. The nuclear programme was initiated in Bhutto's time and completed in Zia's era. Instead of taking credit for the whole thing (it is an open secret that Nawaz Sharif authorised the testing under immense military and public pressure) he should acknowledge the efforts of others too. But we are talking about Nawaz Sharif here, who considers himself Quaid-e-Azam sani.
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May 28, 2019 07:57pm
i remember the day well. one day before, all dollar transactions were stopped at Mr. NS's behest. AFTER he had sent his dollars abroad!!!! You sent us in the dark ages by the blast. a very poor decision.
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May 28, 2019 08:24pm
correction the army made Pakistan a nuclear state
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May 28, 2019 10:05pm
Sorry. It was ZAB and the army.
You were busy accumulating illegal wealth.
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May 28, 2019 10:29pm
Nawaz trying trial and error tactics but mostly erring. He suffers from a superiority complex.
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May 28, 2019 10:29pm
he made Pakistan a nuclear State but after that a CLEAR STATE.
Seriously they are so Shameless even after listening to all these debts they have created for Pakistan.
What will be the point when your Nuclear assets will end up in the hands of IMF after defaulting.
Sit in JAIL.
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May 28, 2019 10:32pm
I don't think he will benefit from treatment abroad
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May 28, 2019 10:37pm
What a joke! NS was never the architect of Pakistan's nuclear program.
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May 28, 2019 11:55pm
Uranium reprocessing plant was designed during late 60's and its working model was fabricated in 1975 at Nilore. French had refused to honor its agreement under US pressure and backed out, after which the plant was made by Pakistan by its own resources.
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May 29, 2019 12:02am
NO. NS you made Pakistan a Bankrupt state.
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May 29, 2019 12:06am
Nawaz is fooling the people. If he think he was so patriotic and faithful to this nation then how come he ribbed billions of this poor nation. Owning properties worth billions of dollars including luxury apartments each with millions of pounds in London.Uding nanes if his sons and daughter . How come Mariyam is moving freely when convicted. How come bail granted and going on for more than a year
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May 29, 2019 01:07am
No you did not, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto did.
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May 29, 2019 02:06am
Well Nawaz you had an opportunity and did nothing, The economic reforms ala 1991 in India are required in PK.
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May 29, 2019 02:14am
The man who has no relationship with books has only made Pakistan corrupt.
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May 29, 2019 03:33am
There are so many countries in the world that are not nuclear powers and they are surviving just fine. We became a nuclear power - at the cost of starving our people, scaling back our advancement, due to sanctions and going begging all around the world to rescue us from going bankrupt. Was it worth it? I am not sure being in a strategic place that we are in (geographically), any power would have allowed another power to invade our country! We are spending millions (if not billions) to keep up with our nuclear technology and in the meantime falling behind in everything else. If you are taking credit for that, I think you need to revisit your priorities.
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May 29, 2019 04:01am
China has much more credible military force to counter India. Pak is just wasting time in internal bickering. It's better for Pak to build its infrastructure and let China take on india militarily.
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May 29, 2019 04:24am
Is he coming back in politics? When?
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May 29, 2019 06:04am
Whatever, first thing first please, money trail.
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May 29, 2019 07:00am
Go Nawaz Go! and return all that you have stolen from the nation.
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May 29, 2019 09:04am
Do you know the spelling of nuclear
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May 29, 2019 12:13pm
Wait, I checked Guiness Book of World Records.
It shows the wheel was invented by one, NS in 5019 B.C - could that be Nawaz Sharif?
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