Global nuclear order: ‘Pakistan deserves its rightful place’
Conference proposes ending discrimination for greater nuclear stability.
Gen. Haq said the global and regional security environment became more complex after the cold war, contrary to the general optimism of many. PHOTO: FILE.
The role of discriminatory nuclear policies on the strategic stability of South Asia with regard to global nuclear policies came under discussion at a conference titled ‘contours of emerging international nuclear order: challenges and options’ on Wednesday.
The conference, organised by the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS), included former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen. (retd) Ehsanul Haq as the key note speaker. Prominent speakers included nuclear strategic affairs expert Dr Bruno Tertais and Russian nuclear expert Andre Shabalin.
Gen. Haq said the global and regional security environment became more complex after the cold war, contrary to the general optimism of many. He was of the view that a surge in globalisation and increased competition over energy resources are the new elements of an emerging global security order. “Pakistan deserves its rightful place in the emerging global nuclear order based on internationally recognised record of safety, security and non proliferation.
Regarding the challenges of the global nuclear order with regards to North Korea and Iran and the double standards in nuclear non-proliferation, Tertais proposed additional protocols, transparency, and adherence to article six of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to strengthen the global nuclear order.
Shabalin, who was member of the team that negotiated the new Start treaty with the Obama administration in 2010, provided a Russian perspective on strategic stability and disarmament. He discussed the implications of the strategic missile defense program of the United States and Russia’s retaliatory measures along with factors affecting strategic deterrence.
Strategic Studies Institute Islamabad Director General Dr Shireen Mazari argued that NPT and the inherent discrimination within has not been the source of stability in global and regional security. Regarding the four export control cartels, Mazari was of the view that these export control cartels have no legal binding.
CISS Executive Director Ali Sarwar Naqvi said an emerging global nuclear order will have many opportunities for Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2013.