Pakistan ‘Considering’ Missile Tests

May 17, 2002
By IndiaExpress Bureau

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf is seriously considering missile tests despite the heightened tension with India in the wake of the terrorist attack in Jammu, which killed 32 people.
Pakistan is "all set" to flex its "military muscle" by test firing its missiles in the coming days, Pakistan Observer daily reported on Friday.
Musharraf reportedly held "round the clock" consultations with his military aides to discuss the situation, it said.
He is also meeting political leaders to build a national consensus to face the "challenge" from across the borders, according to the Observer.
It is doubtful whether the government would succeed increasing a consensus after the acrimonious divisions created by the recent referendum, which was boycotted by all mainstream political and religious parties.
The tests were planned to restore parity with India after New Delhi test-fired missiles like Agni-II as well as to deflect criticisms over irregularities committed in the referendum extending Musharraf's term by five years, reported the daily Times.
However, Foreign Office spokesman Aziz Ahmed Khan denied there was any such move.

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