The nuclear option

IMATRA, FINLAND: This is with reference to Kamran Shafi’s article “Really now?” (June 8). Some Pakistanis seem to think that the use of nuclear bombs is a real option but they must say so without thinking about the consequences of such an action. Let us, for a moment, suppose that Pakistan bombs India and India does not reply in kind immediately.

In such a scenario, the UN and many powerful countries like China, the US, Russia and the EU would not like a small and weak country like Pakistan making use of the nuclear option. There will be a unanimous decision by the UN and the big powers to defang Pakistan forever. The UN and the powers will attack and occupy Pakistan, divide it into smaller sectors and before leaving make these sectors independent countries.

People like Munir Akram should think seriously before suggesting that Pakistan make use of its nuclear arsenal.

Hari Karnani

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2012.