Nawaz did atomic blasts under cabinet pressure: Gohar Ayub

A statement by former foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan that Nawaz Sharif was not in favor of carrying out nuclear blasts has triggered a new debate among political circles across the country. Speaking in Dunya News Program Najam Sethi Special, Khan claimed that Chaudhary Nisar, Sartaj Aziz, Mushahid Hussain and Begum Abida Hussain had opposed the atomic explosions. He said that when Jahangir Karamat was asked about the blasts, he termed it a political decision. He maintained that Defense Committee session had also supported the atomic blasts. Khan told that establishment brought Nawaz Sharif into power. He revealed that after the appointment of Asif Nawaz as the Chief of Army Staff, Sharifs clash started with him. Nawaz Sharif wanted to appoint Hameed Gul as the army chief, Khan added. On the other hand PML-N Leader Ahsan Iqbal, Sartaj Aziz and PML-Q Leader Mushahid Hussain have condemned Khans statement. Talking to Dunya News separately, Iqbal and Aziz condemned the decision and said that Khan had a week memory while Hussain claimed it was he who suggested carrying out the atomic blasts.