Pre-Eid Fireworks in Pakistan

On Monday April 06, at 7:25am local time, Pakistan successfully tested a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 937 miles and a 700 kg payload capacity. As part of this test, the missile, Hatf-V (Ghuari), hit a target 1,100 km away from the launch point.

The test was described by Foreign Office Spokesman Tariq Altaf as a complete success and a significant step in Pakistan's defence-related missile program. Mr Altaf categorized the missile as being in R&D stage, and not yet ready for deployment in combat. He also stated that the missile had been developed entirely by Pakistani scientists and engineers using Pakistani resources, with no technical help from China.

While the spokesman avoided naming the site of the missile test, sources close to national defence development said that the launch point was in the vicinity of the city of Jhelum in Punjab with the target situated to the southwest near Quetta.


With regards to security implication in the region and progress on talks with neighbor India, Mr Altaf said that this test and the development of the Ghuari missile should not impede the progress of negotiations with India over security and peace issues. He pointed out that India's unabated development of ballistic missiles had not deterred the Pakistani side from participating in high-level talks with them. Mr. Altaf also dismissed the possibility of an arms race in the sub-continent ensuing due to such strategic defence projects being promoted in both Pakistan and India.

Mr Altaf confirmed that the missile was capable of carrying a nuclear payload.