On May 28, 1998, Pakistan tested its nuclear capability in the hills of Chagai in northwest Balochistan. For many people in Pakistan, the day since has been of pride. They call it “Yaum-e-Takbeer,” or Allah’s greatness day, but for people in Balochistan, it is a day to mourn because of the problems they faced in the aftermath of the nuclear tests. Allah was not so great for Baloch people on that day.
The day became a looming nightmare that haunted Balochs in the years to come because of the problems they faced due to nuclear radiation from these tests.
In many parts of Balochistan, wealth is not measured in terms of money or personal belongings. People value the sheep and cattle they breed. For them, they are everything. They provide them sustenance and shelter. They are the ultimate source of livelihood. They make their tents, clothes, tapestry and different handicrafts from their wool. They also sell some of their work in the market. Sheep are also sold in the market, providing them with another source of income.
A large section of population in district Chagai and its adjacent areas heavily depend upon sheep breeding and agriculture. They cultivate grapes, pomegranate, figs and vegetables. The water is scarce in most of Balochistan, but some sporadic streams in the hills provide enough water for plantation.
But with the nuclear tests, they lost it all. Their sheep died, water evaporated with no rain as the radiation caused drastic changes in the environment. In the subsequent years, much of Balochistan was marked with a lingering drought.
After the nuclear tests, it is reported that almost half of the cattle of people in these areas died because of nuclear radiation. Many cases of human loss was also reported. Around 60 people were reported to have died before the end of 2000 due to diseases uncommon before in the area.
The worst of all was health problems that these poor people faced and are still facing due to the ‘Islamic bomb.’ This slideshow above shows kids from these areas who were born with disfigured external organs.
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