Nusrat Mirza
American policy has changed and America intends to press us from left to right and from east to west. America is not willing to accept us as Nuclear Power while it has accepted India nuclear power by signing civil Nuclear Technology deal. It is general perception in Pakistan that it would like to cap, joint control or if possible take away our nuclear assets. That seems to be not possible as the system of protection designed by Pakistan has failed America now and then to do so.Therefore, America is pressing Pakistan hard through the negotiations taking place in Geneva since last year to sign over the Fissile Material cut off treaty meaning thereby that Pakistan should stop producing nuclear material that helps in making the atomic bomb. Pakistan considers it discriminatory and Pakistan specific and refuses to sign such a treaty. The last meeting of this year is to be held on 2nd August 2011 in Geneva. This shows that America is after our nuclear assets and that United States of America would like to shut down our nuclear program. The fact is that USA has made so many efforts to cap Pakistan-s atomic program, to stop the enrichment of Fissile material officially and privately. American have asked Pakistan to return the fissile material it had furnished to Pakistan in 1960 to which Pakistan has refused to return as it has been consumed as per agreement. Now it is threatening Pakistan to reach an agreement called FMCT (Fissile material cut off treaty). This kind of demand is discriminatory and Pakistan is totally against it as it only Pakistan specific.
There are other treaties that should also be taken at the same level. America would like to discuss those issues while it would like to conclude treaty by negotiations. Pakistan’s point of view is to take four issues at the same level.
1. PAROS (Protective armament outer space). United States of America is loading and militarizing outer space with nuclear and other sophisticated arms. This is against humanity and China and Russia have the reservation on it. However Americans are interested to militarize outer space so much so that no room left for China and Russia to load their weapons. America has the objection for others to have space in outer space; therefore, it would not like to negotiate but to discuss. On the contrary, it is interested that Pakistan should stop to produce fissile material and Pakistan should negotiate.
2. Negative Security Assurance (NSA) America has given assurance that it shall not attack any country which does not have nuclear weapons but ready to negotiate but its position is of only discussing.
3. Nuclear disarmament. For the time being, it is Iran specific. Though it applies to other countries too. America would like to discuss on this treaty
4. Fissile material cut off treaty. This is Pakistan specific that Pakistan should cut off producing fissile material used for preparation of atomic bomb. Pakistan is not ready to negotiate on this since last ten years. America blames Pakistan that it has blocked the progress on this treaty. Pakistan’s point of view is that Pakistan is far behind is producing and storing such material. Let Pakistan come at certain level that other countries are then only Pakistan will negotiate over it. The other reservation Pakistan has that USA has been providing missile material to India under a treaty and against NPT why it has the objection over Pakistan’s indigenous production. America has given threat to Pakistan that it will take the issue in UNO. Pakistan just neglects threat and sticking to its position.
Pakistan is resisting on its nuclear program, it is true. Pakistan Government’s spokesman has categorically said that no one can even touch our atomic assets. It is true that Pakistan has not allowed American or any one to inspect our nuclear sites.
For this, Barak Obama consider us a fearful dream, it is true. Until, America stops bullying us, let it remain so. Americans have failed now then in reaching to our program either by satellite or manly spying. It is still trying to harm our program. Pressing on FMCT in one example and Pakistan is not going to accept this. We are a responsible Nuclear State and we should be considered so without bullying Pakistan as it is said universally that Pakistan is the most bullied nation.
Former Advisor to Prime Minister of Pakistan; author of twelve books including Asian Atomic Club (English) and the Pakistan’s Journey to Atomic Program (Urdu).
