THIS is apropos of Tehran’s nuclear project. Iran should understand that having nuclear power does not mean having power security too: Pakistan has been a nuclear power for more than a decade but so far it cannot manage to produce even five per cent of its power through nuclear technology — more than 90 per cent comes from oil and hydropower.

These days all countries, be it a nuclear one or not, are endeavouring to research and utilise clean and eco-friendly alternatives to oil, hydroelectricity and the coveted nuclear power.

When even Pakistan, a nuclear power, is looking for refuge under wind and solar energy, Iran must seriously break free of the mirage of nuclear technology.

Exploiting nuclear power for electricity generation is a tedious and expensive project as is enriching the uranium; Iran must, thus, not waste its time and money over a ‘white elephant’ that is deemed a global security threat too.

The big picture of nuclear power portrays pessimism, albeit narrow view may mislead the viewer. This time, moreover, the danger of another Iraq-like terrible war is imminent -- an unbearable loss.

People all over the world do not desire an Iraq-like war once more in the world. Today the world is a global village, with no country isolated and hence if one suffers, so will the others.

In simple words, Iran has plenty of oil, which is even serving the whole world; it had better simply keep using it and abandon Tehran’s nuclear mission.

After all Mr Ahmedinejad is a well-educated person and he should instead focus on other concerns facing his country like severe corruption. I do expect that the president of Iran, with a doctorate in civil engineering, will give up the nuclear project and prove that he did not intend to use it for defence purposes.

SAANWAL KARAMAT BARLAAS Bagh, Azad Kashmir