ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Mixed reaction to N-tests in Pakistan

While many Indians were jubilant about the five nuclear devices exploded by India, people in neighbouring Pakistan were sombre today -- some calling for an explosion of their own, others urging restraint.

''Absolutely. Pakistan should show its own nuclear capability. We deserve it,'' said Saeed Ishfaq Ahmed, the bespectacled owner of a tyre store in Islamabad. ''India is not respecting what other countries say; so why should we accept what they say?''

But at a peace march through Islamabad today India's nuclear testing was denounced.

In a prepared statement the demonstrators urged ''strictest'' international condemnation of India and ''categorically opposed demands from within Pakistan to follow the path India has taken.''

The march was lead by 12 aid organisations, including the Pakistan Human Rights Commission and the Pakistan-India People's Forum for Peace and Democracy.

Tell us what you think of this report