Daily Times

Ever since 1998; the beginning of Pakistan’s nuclear age, the state’s self-defence mechanism has been a source of worry and unrest for India and the US. Both these states never really accepted that a small state like Pakistan could develop the prestigious asset and was now well capable of defending itself against external threats.

The US opposed the program on the grounds that it had been tested after the signing of the Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT) and that it is an “illegitimate” program. Their basic concern was that Pakistan was not being a party to NPT and the US non-proliferation efforts failing. India, though very much against the program, could not openly oppose it on the same grounds because its own nuclear program was tested after the signing of NPT.

There are a lot of ambiguities surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear program which are there intentionally for the benefit and security of the program and state. However, there is one thing which has been kept very clear since day one and that is the Indo centric nature of Pakistan’s nuclear program. The program was developed because the conventionally strong next door neighbour had developed their program. Pakistan, in an attempt to ensure territorial security, had to develop its own program as well. US, China, Russia, France or the UK were never a threat to Pakistan nor was Pakistan on their attack agenda. India on the other hand was in close territorial proximity, a historic enemy, conventionally stronger and now also a nuclear power. After evaluating all these factors any national strategist would suggest a nuclear program for Pakistan and that is exactly what the state did.

There have been news in an Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, that Pakistan is more of a threat to Israel than Iran. This was published on 20 May, 2018. The grounds for this allegation have been identified as Pakistan’s growing arsenal and other similar reasons which have always been popular in the western policy circles. Iran; a conventional enemy, one with which there have been numerous conflicts has been ruled out as a threat to Israel since they do not have a nuclear arsenal.

Pakistan’s nuclear program is solely meant to protect the state from external threats. The program is not meant to help the state make enemies and start new conflicts. Pakistan has no intention to use its resources in this way

However, there are many concrete facts that have been ignored in this propagating debate. For instance Pakistan has had no wars with Israel. Both the states have never even been on the verge of an all-out war. The states have never even had a conflict that could’ve led to war. Although Iran does not have a nuclear arsenal at present but that does not stop the state from indulging in conflicts and although initiating a nuclear war might not be a possibility for Iran but a conventional war is very much within their skill set.

Pakistan is already engaged in a two front defence strategy on both its eastern and western borders. The Taliban threat from the west and the ever present Indian threat from the east, particularly along the line of control are already consuming most of the state’s energy, attention and resources. Under such circumstances, jumping into any sort of venture as far as Israel without any apparent or direct conflict seems like an amateur move which is not expected from Pakistan whatsoever. If any linkages are being made based on the fact that Iran and Israel have cordial ties then they are weak to begin with. On the other hand India and Iran have more than friendly ties and India’s nuclear arsenal is growing rapidly with the help of the US. However, this does not mean that just because India is a nuclear state and a friend of Iran, it will be inclined to attack Israel.

Pakistan’s nuclear program is solely meant to protect the state from external threats. The program is not meant to help the state make enemies and start new conflicts.

Pakistan has no intention to use its resources in this way and deviate from the real agenda which is to protect the state of Pakistan. The only condition under which Pakistan would use its nuclear weapons against any state would be if they choose to attack the territory of Pakistan in a nuclear or non-nuclear manner. The state has been absolutely clear about this from the very beginning of its nuclear era.

The writer is freelance columnist

Published in Daily Times, August 18^th 2018.