US eyes deal to limit Pakistan's nuclear arsenal: NYT
Pakistan is far away from putting limitations due to tensions with India, say experts
LAHORE (Web Desk) – United States (US) has shown concern over Pakistan’s growing nuclear arsenal and is striving to limit it, according to a report published in The New York Times.
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz is scheduled to visit the US while the officials of different US departments are holding meetings to finalise a proposal.
NY Times stated that Pakistan’s nuclear programme is the fastest growing in the world and thus is important for the US to address. President of the US (Potus) has been wanting to explore a deal ever since he settled in the White House.
According to the details, US is concerned that Pakistan could be at verge of deploying a small weapon that would be far harder to secure than its larger weapons.
US analysts have said that Pakistan is far away from putting any limitations on its programme due to tensions with neighbouring India. They have said that Pakistan treats its nuclear programme as its pride and would not compromise.
Peter R Lavoy, official of the National Security Council is holding different discussions as his profile involves intelligence expertise on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.
The NY Times alleges that one of the founders of Pakistan’s programme, Abdul Qadeer Khan was caught selling the technology to other countries. The report states that US has taken the step for the first time in a decade since Dr Khan was alleged of the violation.
The US-led training and assistance of the Pakistani staff in keeping the arsenal safe and secure continues in Obama administration. The US, NY Times states, will use the meetings with Strategic Plans Division and cooperation a base to convince Pakistan over ‘high risk’ of using short range weapons against Indian troops.
US is likely to justify the need to address the issue with the ongoing insurgency in Pakistan. NY Times states that US government is sure of larger weapons’ security as warheads are kept separated from the delivery machines. However, smaller weapons could get in hands of any militant organization.
Lavoy has said that Pakistan should be convinced to not deploy long-range warheads that could target countries in line after India.
It should also be mentioned here that Pakistan never signed Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty due to constant tensions with rival India. The treaty bars nations from building or possessing nuclear warheads. However, already declared nuclear states like the US are exceptions.
Similarly, since Pakistan poses a constant threat to India, it has also not signed the treaty. North Korea had left the treaty at least two decades ago.
Separately, PM Nawaz will expose India’s sponsorship of terror in Pakistan’s Karachi and Balochistan on his visit.
The article originally appeared at: US striving for deal with Pakistan
