NCA concerned over "arms race" in the region
NCA calls for a "Strategic Constraint Regime in South Asia.
Dunya News Report (Madiha Fareed)
RAWALPINDI- The National Command Authority (NCA) during a meeting made known that it is aware and concerned over the “growing conventional and strategic weapons’ development” in the region and the adverse ramification it poses for the peace and security of the region; said the press statement released by Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) department of Armed Forces.
The 22nd meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA), held on Wednesday February 24, was chaired by PM Nawaz Sharif. The others present at the meeting included Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, Prime Minister’s Advisor for Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Federal Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Chaudary Nisar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatmi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chief, director general Strategic Plans Division and other senior officials.
While reviewing the prevailing regional and international security environment, the NCA expressed a strong desire for establishing a “Strategic Constraint Regime” in South Asia and re-emphasized the “inescapable need” for a meaningful and sustained dialogue process for the resolution of impending disputes to open a new chapter of prosperity and peace in the era.
The call for meaningful dialogue from Pakistan’s top military and political leadership comes at the time when the fate of India—Pakistan Foreign-Security level talks hangs in the air after the Pathankot Airbase attack which took place on January 2, 2016.
NCA made it crystal clear that it is ready to do whatever it takes to make national security impenetrable while reposing full confidence in the reliable command and control system of the national strategic capability. NCA appreciated the high standard of operational preparedness of the strategic forces. NCA also lauded the services of scientists and engineers for the recent successful test of various ballistic and missile systems, while duly acknowledging their impeccable display of professionalism.
The security and safety mechanism of the country’s nuclear programme was reviewed comprehensively during the meeting it was noted with satisfaction that the measures in-place are highly effective for security of strategic assets and installations.
NCA was briefed on the Nuclear Security Summit scheduled to be held in Washington D.C. “Details of inter-agency process to ratify the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Amended) by Pakistan were also presented to NCA. The NCA gave approval in principle for its ratification. It was re-affirmed that, as a responsible nuclear State, Pakistan would continue to contribute meaningfully towards the global efforts to improve nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation measures” stated the press release.
NCA expressed its determination to “maintain Full Spectrum Deterrence, in line with the policy of Credible Minimum Deterrence”. NCA restated its resolve to take all possible measures to make national security robust; enabling it to effectively respond to the threats to national security without indulging in arms race, while reiterating that nuclear deterrence is the factor of stability in South Asia.
NCA expressed satisfaction over the fact that Pakistan has the requisite credentials that entitle it to become part of all multi-lateral export control regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), for which Pakistan seeks adoption of a non-discriminatory approach.
The recent meeting also sends the important message that the country’s political and military leadership is on the same page when it comes to the pressing national and international security issues.
Last week, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) database revealed that Pakistan is at number 10 in the list of world’s largest arms importer for 2015, while the neighbor India was on number 2 just below Saudi Arabia.
Recently a deal between Pakistan and USA was finalized in which USA agreed to sale eight nuclear-capable F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan reportedly worth nearly $700 million, which has antagonized Indian authorities. During a visit to Russia in December 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also signed a $7 billion arms deal with Russia.
This is a serious point to ponder that India and Pakistan are home to world’s most poor population, in Pakistan over fifty percent population lives below the poverty line (earn less than 2 dollars a day) and the situation is even worse in India but the both countries are adamant to spend a huge chunk of their national budgets on buying weapons. This is high time that the both countries realize that welfare of people is more important that nurturing useless enmities.
