- JEDDAH: "Peaceful use of nuclear energy — our need and obligation" was the subject of a symposium organized by the Pakistan Repatriation Council (PRC) late Wednesday.
- In his presidential address Sheikh Mohammad Luqman said: "We have successfully achieved nuclear deterrence, but we must see that we use nuclear technology to solve our issues related to water and power."
Chief guest and President of Pakistan Writers Forum Syed Neaz Ahmed gave a presentation on Pakistan's capability and need for upgrading the use of nuclear technology in energy, agriculture, medicine and other fields. Referring to the contribution of scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan and his team in developing nuclear technology for the purpose of defense, he said: "We must admit we have failed to use this technology to benefit the common man." According to him, energy produced by one gram of nuclear fuel is equivalent to energy produced by 20 tons of coal.
Syed Ehsanul Haq, convener of PRC that has been championing the cause of Kashmiris and stranded Pakistanis, said: "While India has honored its nuclear scientists and attained enhanced technology in this field and successfully negotiated a deal with the United States to further enhance its nuclear technology, on our part, we must assign our scientists to work toward enhancing this technology with the help of our neighbor China that has successfully developed it for common people."
Iftikhar Choudhry, chairman of Halqae Yarane Watan, and community leaders Agha Mohammad Akram, Tariq Mahmoud, Gulab Khan and Syed Musarrat Khalil also spoke.
Poets Abdul Qayyum Waseq, Naseem Sehar, Syed Mohsin Alavi and Gule Anwar presented their poems on the occasion of 'Youme Takbir' (Great Day) marking the 12th anniversary of five nuclear tests conducted by Pakistan on May 28, 1998. They were held in response to a series of five nuclear explosions India conducted earlier in the month.