Sir: It is surprising to see Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif acknowledging at the UN General Assembly that both Pakistan and India have spent exorbitant amounts of money and natural resources on a nuclear arms race in the past. It has taken a long time for the proponents of nuclear arsenals to realise that, though acquiring nuclear capabilities may be regarded as a deterrent for the security of the country, it is not an absolute requirement for the existence of a country and its usage may not be possible by any sensible government in the near future. The world’s population is well aware of the destruction and loss of human lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, when the so-called civilized nation of the US used its nuclear devices during World War II. Both countries, India and Pakistan, being nuclear powers, are spending a major part of their revenues to safeguard their nuclear stockpiles with the west fearing a possible takeover of weapons by the extremists, either by snatching them or deliberate handover to them by their sympathisers.
The madness of nuclear stockpiles is a white elephant that we have created due to the wrong perceptions of some. If we had spent the same resources on social priorities and economic development, we would not be begging and taking directives from the US to solve our problems and help with existence. Instead, we could have stopped the violation of our country’s sovereignty in relation to drone strikes. One may ask: is our nuclear arsenal deterrent enough to stop US drone strikes? Not at all. There are countries on this planet doing well in all avenues of economic progress without being nuclear armed. It is appreciable to see a change in Pakistan’s strategy for friendly coexistence with India, as advocated by Mr Nawaz Sharif during his speech at the UNGA. All political parties should support him on this issue to stop the arms race, resolve disputes by mutual dialogue, promote trade and business, and normalise relations between the two countries to let people interact and mingle freely with each other so that they enjoy their centuries old relationship. We must stop spending on the arms race and let the two countries prosper together through mutual cooperation.
MOHAMMAD ASHRAF
Winnipeg,
Canada