Pakistan stands for universal ban on nukes

Published September 29, 2014
— Dawn file photo
— Dawn file photo

WASHINGTON: Pakistan is not against nuclear disarmament but it should be universal and non-discriminatory, says Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry.

During the 69th General Assembly, the United Nations observed the first-ever annual day for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. In a message released by his office, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged member states that “the time has come for the total elimination of nuclear weapons stockpiles”.

While most active members of one group lobbied for a complete, across the board ban on all nuclear arms, others quietly tried to put the spotlight on Pakistan.

India led this group, which argued that Pakistan was an instable country, facing widespread terrorism and political chaos. They also drew attention to PTI’s dharna, both outside the parliament building in Islamabad and near the UN headquarters during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s address on Sept 26.

Know more: Australia, India sign long-awaited civil nuclear deal

Terrorism and this political chaos, they argued, showed that Pakistan was an inherently weak state, which cannot be trusted with nuclear weapons.

Pakistan dealt with this onslaught by arguing that it was not against elimination of nuclear weapons but “would like to see a universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable nuclear disarmament”, as Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry explained.

Mr Chaudhry also urged the international community, “not to forget what caused Pakistan to go for the nuclear option”.

He said that India’s nuclear tests had disturbed the strategic balance in South Asia and Pakistan had no option but to restore the balance.

Also during the session, a spokesperson for the US State Department told the Pakistani media that US Vice President Joe Biden would ask Pakistan to join the international coalition against the Islamic State during his meeting with Mr Sharif.

Initial remarks by the two sides did not mention this request but statements issued a day after the meeting acknowledged that the two leaders spent part of their time discussing terrorism.

The White House said that the two leaders “affirmed … the importance of continuing to combat terrorism together”.

The Pakistani statement said that Mr Sharif and Mr Biden “agreed that terrorism was a common threat to Pakistan and the United States”.

Later, a Pakistani official explained that while Pakistan “whole heartedly supports the international coalition against ISIS, it is reluctant to chew more than it can handle”.

The official pointed out that Pakistan was already conducting a major campaign against terrorists in the tribal area and it believed that eliminating terrorists in Fata would also help the international fight against terrorism.

The Biden-Sharif meeting lasted longer than initially expected. They had two, half-an-hour sessions, once with their aides and then just the two of them. Before the meeting, Mr Biden said the US was pleased that Pakistan had an elected government and similar sentiments were issued in the White House statement too.

The decision to include this point in the statement released after the meeting underlined the importance the White House attaches to this issue.

Pakistan’s official statement, issued after that of the White House, mentioned a “positive momentum in the growth of bilateral cooperation”.

Published in Dawn, September 29th , 2014

Opinion

Editorial

China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...
United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.