Speakers back Iran’s peaceful nuclear right

Islamabad, June 5, IRNA – Speakers at launching ceremony of a book on Iran’s nuclear program supported Iran’s right to nuclear technology and opposed pressure on the Islamic Republic in this regards. Giving their comments on the book during the ceremony held at Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) they said that Iran is a responsible nation and has assured the world that they are not after nuclear weapons. Ghani Jaffer Malik, author of the book and project consultant at Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI) said that he has given a detailed outlook of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program. He added that the story of Iran’s nuclear program has thus far been told largely through American/Zionists media. He said that the book is an attempt to place the evolution of the issue in proper perspective. Ghani Jaffer Malik, expressing his views said that Iran’s nuclear right must be respected. “Iran is the signatory of the NPT and has the right to develop peaceful nuclear technology,” noted the analyst. Air Commodore (Retired) Ghulam Mujaddid, senior research fellow at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad said that Iran is a responsible member of the NPT and has pursued a nuclear program under the supervision of the IAEA. He said that the book is written on a subject that is technical, political, strategic and relevant at the same time. The analyst said that Ghani Jaffer Malik is forthright in pointing out the double standards and selectivity prevailing in the international nuclear order. He has analysed the politics of Iran’s nuclear programme truly dispassionately and earnestly. “As a student and teacher of strategic studies and nuclear politics, I am privileged to observe that here is a book that equally benefits ordinary citizens, students and scholars of strategic studies, and the strategic decision-makers- all at the same time,” he said. Dr. Syed Qandil Abbas, professor of Politics and International Relations at Quaid-i-Azam University said that Ghani Jafar is one of the few prominent Pakistani experts on Iran and probably the most remarkable expert on Iranian nuclear programme who has produced pieces of work on this subject with its academic and general worth at the same time. The analyst said that the Supreme Leader of Iran has issued a fatwa (religious edict) declaring the production, stockpiling, and use of nuclear weapons as haram (prohibited in Islam) so there is no reason left for the western states to doubt over Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities. “When I was in Iran I witnessed the power of Fatwa,” he added. He added that Iran is using the nuclear technology for medical and energy sectors. He urged the international community to address the concerns of Iran. Azhar Ahmad independent security analyst said that the book is not just about Iran’s nuclear programme but it covers the whole gambit of geo-politics affecting the region. “Ghani Jafar must be commended for this compassionate analysis,” he said. He said that in his pursuit of finding the truth Ghani also exposes the double standards of the West and the impotence of the world bodies like the UN or the IAEA. “Ghani has produced a balanced account of the subject that contains good advice for the regional and extra-regional actors. Good to have on your personal book shelf,” he said. Najam Rafique, Acting Director General of Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad in the end thanks the participants of the ceremony. Intellectuals, analysts and large numbers of students attended the ceremony./end