Pak. atomic energy panel budget slashed

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 22. Close on the heels of the military government's decision to retire two prominent nuclear scientists from active service, comes the news that the ``classified'' budget of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has been slashed by 10 per cent.

The English daily, The News, in a front page report today said that a 15 per cent cut had also been ordered on the ``open budget'' of the Commission under the general directions of the Finance Ministry for slashing of developmental and the civil government's total allocations under the approved budget for 2000-01.

The retirement of the two top nuclear scientists, including Dr. A.Q. Khan, from active service last month had triggered protests from the religious parties in Pakistan.

They had accused the military government of acting under pressure from the west.

The Chief Executive and the military ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, himself had to clarify that the retirement of the two scientists was not on account of pressure from any quarter and Pakistan would never compromise on its security interests.

The news report has said that the 10 per cent cut in the ``classified budget'' of PAEC had reportedly been forced during the third quarter of the current financial year.

``The reason for this cut is said to be the financial constraints the country is facing today.''

The paper said the official spokesman of the Commission, while confirming the cut, had claimed that it was temporary in nature and would not really affect the very essence of the country's nuclear programme.

``We think we can accommodate this much of cut without compromising our target,'' he was quoted as saying.

The chief spokesman of the military, Gen. Rashid Quereshi, while professing ignorance about the budget cut, has told the paper that there won't be any compromise on the security of Pakistan.

He told the paper that any lessening of general preparedness of the defence forces or that of nuclear deterrence could not be accepted.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Robson Walton gallops past Bill Gates
Next     : LTTE may extend truce