Page 6 - ZAMURD Jun-2015

S. Arabia NOISE MAKER : PAKISTAN

calls in off-

the-shelf nuke option

with Pakistan – report

Green electric

rickshaws hit streets
A Japanese company, Zar Motors, has devised
At the prospect of the international community’s what it calls a solution to the noise and pollution
nuclear deal with Iran, Saudi Arabia has reportedly problem: the E-Trike, an electric-powered
taken a decision to call in an old favor from rickshaw. Zar will begin domestically assembling
Pakistan and get some of its nuclear weapons.
and selling the vehicles in Pakistan after successful
introductions in Mexico, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Saudi Arabia is widely believed to have bankrolled and Cambodia.
the Pakistani nuclear weapons program. In The new Z5 model is powered solely by electricity.
exchange, Riyadh reportedly expects Islamabad to Seven hours plugged into a standard outlet
provide missiles in times of trouble to defend the provides enough juice for around 60 miles. In a
kingdom. hurry, a quick two-hour charge can deliver enough
“For the Saudis the moment has come,” a former charge for just over 31 miles. Solar panels on its
American defense official told The Sunday Times rooftop also provide some charging while on the
newspaper. “There has been a longstanding move. The cab has a driver’s seat, and can carry
agreement in place with the Pakistanis, and the up to three passengers with an option to extend
House of Saud has now made the strategic decision the capacity, according to the company website.
to move forward.” For cargo, Zar also makes an “A5” variant that can

According to the report, no actual transfer of carry 1,650 lbs.
weapons has taken place yet, but “the Saudis mean Then there is the price difference. Combustion-
what they say and they will do what they say,” the engine rickshaws cost roughly $2,000, compared to
source reportedly said. $3,300 for an e-rickshaw. Buyers, already cautious
of investing in relatively untested vehicles, are
At the moment there are several countries in the discouraged by the price tag.
region known or believed to have nuclear weapons. But the company says it is worth it.

Pakistan has a stockpile of 80 to 120 warheads “The higher initial cost is covered within 14
designed to counterbalance India’s arsenal, while months through the lower running cost of this
Turkey hosts NATO nuclear weapons. Israel is said rickshaw”, says Awais Qureshi, CEO of Zar Motors.
to have a stockpile, although it has never officially “That is a very small time period, and people can
confirmed this. afford it.”