Speakers including renowned Pakistani journalist Rauf Tahir and intellectual and writer Sarwat Jamal Asmai criticized the continued detention of nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan in Pakistan. They were speaking at the 10th anniversary of Youme Takbeer, a day to celebrate the nuclear explosions first carried out by Pakistan in 1998. The event was organized by Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC). Rauf Tahir in his presidential address praised former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif for the nuclear explosions. He also demanded full respect for Dr. Khan due to his role in the country acquiring nuclear capability. “When Pakistan was dismembered in 1971, A.Q. Khan wept and offered his services to Pakistan which were then accepted by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto,” he said. Tahir also praised Benazir Bhutto for expanding the nuclear technology. On the issue of repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh, Tahir urged the Yusuf Gilani government to establish a free and honest judicial commission to explore the possibility of their return to the country. Sarwat Jamal Asmai, who was the chief guest at the function, praised the PRC for celebrating the day. Acquring nuclear capability was a great achievement for the country, he said adding that due credit must be given to Dr. Khan for his contributions. He criticised keeping Dr. Khan in restricted condition. He blamed rulers and politicians for ignoring the issue of stranded Pakistanis. He lamented that the politicians and rulers lack the political will to repatriate these Pakistanis languishing in squalid camps in and outside Dhaka. The function, which was attended by a large number of Pkistanis residing in the Kingdom, adopted resolutions urging the government to establish a “Nuclear Research Institute for peaceful purposes” under Dr. Khan to explore nuclear resources for generating electricity, enhance agriculture, pharmaceutical and medical needs etc. by nuclear technology. Another resolution appreciated Bangladesh judiciary for giving the opportunity of settlement to those stranded Pakistanis who were born after 1971. __
