Pakistan calls for new int’l arms control order at UN

Hashmi says South Asia troubled by political and military tensions, strategic asymmetries and nuclear dangers

Dismayed with the existing arms control order which Pakistan said was in a state of “virtual demise”, Khalil Hashmi, the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations, on Wednesday called for a new order to addresses the security concerns of all states.

According to Radio Pakistan, Hashmi, while speaking at the UN General Assembly’s First Committee, which deals with disarmament and international security matters, stressed the need for a new order to counter increasing challenges stemming from deep divisions in approaches, perspectives and priorities.

"Political and military tensions, strategic asymmetries and nuclear dangers are growing and many of these troubling trends are manifest in South Asia," he added.

Referring to India’s arms build-up, the permanent envoy said that the largest state, driven by its pursuit of regional hegemony and aided by generous supplies of conventional and non-conventional weaponry, continued to operationalise dangerous doctrines.

Read more: PM expresses full confidence in Pakistan’s nuclear capability

It is worth mentioning here that last month, the National Command Authority (NCA), which met at the Strategic Plans Division with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, reviewed evolving conflict dynamics in the region and noted with concern the destabilising massive arms build-up in the conventional and strategic domains.

A press release issued on the occasion revealed that the meeting was attended by foreign, defence, finance and interior ministers, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, chiefs of army, navy and air force; and director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The meeting expressed full confidence in the command-and-control systems as well as security measures in place to ensure the comprehensive security of Pakistan’s strategic assets.