ISLAMABAD, 27 July 2007 — Pakistan yesterday successfully test fired its nuclear-capable radar-dodging cruise missile, the military said. The indigenously developed Babar (Hatf-VII) missile has a range of 700 kilometers (437 miles) and “near stealth” properties, it said in a statement.

The missile was last tested in March and first fired in 2005, since when its range has been increased from 500 kilometers.

“The missile test is part of a continuous process of validating the design parameters set for this weapon system,” the statement said.

It said President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz congratulated the scientists and engineers “on this very important success.”

“The Babar, which has near stealth capabilities, is a low flying, terrain hugging missile with high maneuverability, pinpoint accuracy and radar avoidance features,” the statement said.

“The test will consolidate Pakistan’s strategic capability and strengthen national security.” Pakistan and India have routinely conducted missile tests since the two countries carried out tit-for-tat nuclear detonations in May 1998.

However in 2004 they launched a slow-moving peace process aimed at ending six decades of hostility and resolving their dispute over the Himalayan territory of Kashmir, the cause of two of their three wars.

In February, Pakistan signed a historic deal with India to cut the risk of atomic weapons accidents.

“Neighboring countries were informed about the test,” the Foreign Office said. Pakistan and India have an agreement to notify each other about tests of ballistic missiles but not cruise missiles.

SC Orders Poll Panel to

Include 20m Voters in List

A Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, yesterday directed the Election Commission to prepare a fresh list including 20 million voters left out in the existing list and complete the process before Aug. 10.

The Pakistan People’s Party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had petitioned the court on the issue.

People’s Party senator Latif Khosa in his petition said the voter list prepared by the National Database and Registration Authority taking into account the new ID cards issued to the voters had disenfranchised 20 million people.

In his ruling, the chief justice said all those voters who have old ID cards or driving licenses be included in the new list so that no one is denied the right to vote.