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There are multiple dangers to Pakistan’s
nuclear asserts; risks from accidental nuclear war, risks from
terrorists and risks to it from the perception that we are a nation of
nuclear proliferators.
When I was in the government we signed an
agreement with India in 1989 on the non-attack on each other’s nuclear
installations, a centrepiece of which was exchange of information
about nuclear sites in the two countries on the first of January each
year. I believe that system is in place and has significantly
contributed to the nuclear risk reduction from accidental war.
Ten years later the two countries signed
an MOU in February 1999 on nuclear risk reduction. Almost another
decade later, the two countries recently signed a nuclear risk
reduction agreement to build on the foundations laid during democratic
governments.
I realise that some commentators have
pointed to the risk of nuclear assets falling into the hands of
extremist elements. We need to ensure this does not happen.
In the current situation one of the major
risks to our nuclear assets could emanate from a perception that
Pakistan was not fully transparent with regard to the clandestine
export of weapons of mass destruction. We must dispel that
misperception as it can seriously undermine our nuclear assets.
General Pervez Musharraf has admitted in
his biography that tons of sensitive nuclear materials, technologies
and blue prints were clandestinely transferred in the decade of
eighties and nineties from Pakistan to some countries in the region
and far off. The graphic details of these transfers given in his book
are most alarming and raise many questions in the international
community.
In order to ward off such threats to our
nuclear program Pakistan must cooperate with the international
community through the IAEA in unearthing the full extent of the
nuclear black market of which Pakistan is accused to be at the centre.
That is why the PPP has demanded the setting up of a bipartisan
parliamentary inquiry committee to probe the matter. We have also said
that we will fully cooperate with the IAEA in unearthing the hands
behind the proliferation network if further issues need to be
answered.
Under the Benazir Nuclear Doctrine first
established in 1989, there was to be no export of nuclear technology.
Ms. Benazir Bhutto was a twice elected Prime Minster of Pakistan. She
was the first Muslim woman to be the head of the state. She left
hundreds and thousands of people mourning when she was assassinated on
December 27th, 2007. This is one of the most memorable pieces of
writings given to the Pakistan Post by Ms. Benazir Bhutto. When we
requested her to pen down her views on Pakistan’ nuclear program, she
most affectionately and lovingly obliged us. When she came to the US,
she fondly made a point to note what the Pakistan Post has written in
its breaking stories and editorials. We remember her - without ever
forgetting her - and pay tribute to her. At the occasion of her first
death anniversary, we present her views as expressed by her pen on
October 31st, 2007 to our readers.
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