Discussion: Call for plan to counter chemical, biological attack
Experts call for action against non-state actors.
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan does not manufacture or use chemical and biological weapons, but it still needs a contingency plan to counter attacks by such weapons on its soil.
These views were expressed at a seminar titled “Chemical-Biological Weapons and Pakistan” held by the Institute of Policy Studies on Thursday. Students, retired army officers, security experts and members of the civil society attended the event.
“Pakistan needs a contingency plan, especially considering the vulnerable civilian population,” said former ambassador Qazi Humayun, who chaired the session. “The government should develop a programme for this purpose so we’re not taken by surprise in case of a chemical and biological weapons attack.”
Dr Tughral Yamin, the head of strategic and nuclear studies department at the National Defence University, gave a presentation on the history of the use of chemical and biological weapons. He also went over international conventions and treaties which proscribe the use of these weapons.
Yamin said these weapons are easy to produce, as they don’t need any sophisticated technology. This further increases the need for preparedness measures. “We need to raise awareness about such weapons to be able to counter them,” he said. “The first responders, such as civil defence, police and fire brigade should have proper understanding of chemical and biological threats,” Yamind added.
Participants also discussed the use of chemical and biological weapons by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and their effects on the civilian population. They stressed on the need for decontamination facilities in Pakistan to prevent the spread of any radioactivity in case of a chemical and biological attack.
Khalid Iqbal, a retired air commodore who moderated the discussion, said chemical and biological weapons are mostly used by non-state actors in Pakistan. “These elements should be tackled and eliminated through effective governance and rule of law,” he commented.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2012.
Pakistan does not manufacture or use chemical and biological weapons, but it still needs a contingency plan to counter attacks by such weapons on its soil.
These views were expressed at a seminar titled “Chemical-Biological Weapons and Pakistan” held by the Institute of Policy Studies on Thursday. Students, retired army officers, security experts and members of the civil society attended the event.
“Pakistan needs a contingency plan, especially considering the vulnerable civilian population,” said former ambassador Qazi Humayun, who chaired the session. “The government should develop a programme for this purpose so we’re not taken by surprise in case of a chemical and biological weapons attack.”
Dr Tughral Yamin, the head of strategic and nuclear studies department at the National Defence University, gave a presentation on the history of the use of chemical and biological weapons. He also went over international conventions and treaties which proscribe the use of these weapons.
Yamin said these weapons are easy to produce, as they don’t need any sophisticated technology. This further increases the need for preparedness measures. “We need to raise awareness about such weapons to be able to counter them,” he said. “The first responders, such as civil defence, police and fire brigade should have proper understanding of chemical and biological threats,” Yamind added.
Participants also discussed the use of chemical and biological weapons by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and their effects on the civilian population. They stressed on the need for decontamination facilities in Pakistan to prevent the spread of any radioactivity in case of a chemical and biological attack.
Khalid Iqbal, a retired air commodore who moderated the discussion, said chemical and biological weapons are mostly used by non-state actors in Pakistan. “These elements should be tackled and eliminated through effective governance and rule of law,” he commented.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2012.