15,000 nukes a threat to human existence

Experts discuss effective nuclear disarmament

ISLAMABAD: Experts have highlighted that over 15,000 nuclear weapons at some 107 different sites in 14 countries pose a potential threat to human existence on the earth as there is no capacity to deal with humanitarian consequences of nuclear accident.

Experts while speaking at a round table discussion on “Building Bridges for Effective Nuclear Disarmament: Current Nuclear Challenges and Opportunities” here observed that currently there was no existing mechanism for capping the impact of a nuclear detonation.

It was also highlighted that nuclear accidents do happen which sometimes go unreported. Even after the end of the nuclear security summit process 83% of the world’s HEU and Plutonium remain under military use and have not been addressed. Only the 17% under civilian’s use has been addressed as a result of the Nuclear Security Summit process.

On the issue of North Korea’s denuclearisation, the world has welcomed DPRK’s decision. Participants raised questions about who would verify the dismantling of DPRK’s nuclear devices.

Strategic Studies Institute Islamabad DG Dr Shireen Mazari however argued that although CTBT is a non-discriminatory treaty, it remains irrelevant until the US ratifies it. Dr Mazari suggested that Pakistan should engage other countries, who object to India’s membership of NSG, through its own diplomatic measures in order to effectively deal with the issue. Pakistan needs proactive and timely diplomacy to effectively counter this issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2018.