Zubair Qureshi
For Pakistan, security threat is both real and existential, which is further intensified by the Indian quest for war, domination and hegemony as so-called ‘net security provider’ in the region.
“India is the biggest nuclear ‘black hole’ in the world that introduced nuclear weapons in South Asia and the Indian Ocean.” Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC General (R) Zubair Mahmood Hayat expressed these views while delivering the keynote address at the launch of the book titled ‘The Security Imperative – Pakistan’s Nuclear Deterrence and Diplomacy’ authored by Ambassador Zamir Akram.
The Arms Control & Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISSI) hosted the launching ceremony.
Gen Zubair was of the view that the NSG waiver by the US, the Indian acquisition of BMD, and ASAT capabilities are the most destabilizing factors in South Asia.
Furthermore, narrative building is a core component of every aspect of the nuclear deterrence spectrum and Ambassador Zamir Akram has put forward Pakistan`s narrative in an effective manner, he said. The essence of the book is how diplomacy transcends into nuclear diplomacy to support the national policy and posture, he said. Earlier, in his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood lauded Ambassador Zamir Akram for his valuable contributions to the field of nuclear diplomacy throughout a diplomatic career spanning over 38 years. While highlighting the importance of the theme, he said that building nuclear deterrence was Pakistan`s indispensable response to the existential threat posed by India`s nuclearisation. Meanwhile, Pakistan`s nuclear diplomacy has remained sharp, tenacious and imaginative; it has illustrated to the world the country’s India-specific rationale for the development of nuclear deterrent.
