Once again Islamabad has made it clear to world community that Pakistan will not sign the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) because the discriminatory nature of the treaty. This was stated by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry who is leading the Pakistani team at a meeting with US officials on Tuesday on security, strategic stability and non-proliferation issues.
“Pakistan has the right to defend itself, so Pakistan will not sign the NPT. Why should we? It is a discriminatory treaty. ” replied foreign secretary when he was asked whether Islamabad would sign the NPT on Washington's demand.
Earlier he made it clear in equivocal manner that Pakistan's nuclear program for military purpose was a response to Indian ambitions and acquisition of nuclear arms capability by Pakistan smashed Indian dreams of creating a regional hegemony.
Though 190 states have already signed the treaty, Without ending nuclear hypocrisy on global level, NPT or any other nuclear control regime would fail to meet its objectives. Indian and Israeli nuclear programs must also come under international monitoring and inspections along with Pakistan and all P5 nations.
This is why US officials choose not to criticize Pakistan's stance on NPT despite the fact it is against the US desires.
Responding to a question about the safety of Pakistani nuclear program and facilities, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry stated, “We have established a multi-layer system and a strong command and control system.” He also reiterated Pakistan's nuclear doctrine of maintaining credible minimum deterrence but ensured that the country is not involved in nuclear arms race like the US and former Soviet Union used to be throughout the Cold War.
“Pakistan is not asking for a parity with India but we do want a system of check and balance. Such a balance is necessary to promote peace,” he said.
“Pakistan believes in the concept of comprehensive strategic stability, which includes conventional weapons balance, nuclear restraint, resolution of the outstanding issues,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry said that Pakistan had proved its ability to fully protect its nuclear assets by not allowing the current wave of terrorism to reach anywhere near a nuclear facility.
“The measures we have taken, no other country has and it is recognised by other countries too. We have fulfilled our responsibility. There is zero tolerance for such activities.”
The foreign secretary said that Pakistan also had a right to the civil nuclear cooperation arrangement that the United States had with India.
“Our energy needs are more acute. Our power generation met international standards. All our facilities are under IAEA safeguards. And so we have a right to have access to civil nuclear technology,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry rejected the suggestion that Pakistan should focus on other sources, such as hydel. He said the safest approach was having a mixed bag of energy options, from hydel to nuclear.
He explained that by 2030, Pakistan planned to generate 162,000MW of electricity and nuclear would only be a small fraction of this total, 8,800MW.
The foreign secretary rejected a suggestion that IS and other militant groups could seize Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.
