Pakistanis mock own govt after MOM’s success

As India entered an elite club of countries with successful Mars missions, Pakistanis reacted with indignation to their country’s dismal space programme. There was no word from the government yet on the successful insertion of MOM into orbit around the red planet.

As India entered an elite club of countries with successful Mars missions, Pakistanis reacted with indignation to their country’s dismal space programme.

However, there was no word from the government yet on the successful insertion of the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) into orbit around the red planet.

Throughout the day, most TV channels showed clips of the achievement and ran reports but there was also lot of comment on why Pakistan has failed in this field.

Political commentator Mosharraf Zaidi tweeted on Wednesday, “Just called SUPARCO switchboard to ask a few questions. After holding for three minutes, receptionist says: sir abhee tea break hay”.

SUPARCO is the cash-starved Pakistani space research programme.

Mosharraf Zaidi's comments were echoed by many others who blamed successive governments for starving scientific research in the country.

In an earlier tweet, Dr Abdul Qadeer, considered the father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb said, “I have been through sufferings, I fought & even sometimes flattered politicians & dictators to make us a Nuclear Power, now I’m tired..” (SIC)

He was referring to a bus scheme started by the Sharif government and also news that he would be spending over $100,000 per day during his forthcoming visit to the US.

The two neighbours achieved independence on successive days in August, 1947.