Building nuclear deterrence was Pakistan`s indispensable response to the existential threat – Ambassador (R) Qazi M. Khalilullah

The launch ceremony of book “The Security Imperative – Pakistan`s Nuclear Deterrence and Diplomacy”, authored by Ambassador Zamir Akram, was held at Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur organized by Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh.

Ambassador (R) Qazi M. Khalilullah Executive Director Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh addressing a Book Launching ceremony 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 nuclear program.

He said that  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, reinforced efforts to maintain strategic stability in South Asia, opposed unfair and discriminatory approaches; and continuously countered the smear against Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program.

Ambassador Qazir M. Khalilullah added that the conceptual framework underpinning Ambassador Zamir Akram’s book is clear and unambiguous; it is the security imperative that singularly drives Pakistan`s pursuit of nuclear deterrence. He also underlined that the book illustrates the contributions of Pakistan’s diplomats and offers a distinctively Pakistani perspective on this important subject.

He said that Pakistan and China signed a $4.8 billion deal to build a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant. China National Nuclear Cooperation and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission will execute the deal.

He said that for Pakistan, the security threat is both real and existential, which was further intensified by the Indian quest for war, domination and hegemony as so-called ‘net security provider’ in the region, 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. The essence of this book is how diplomacy transcends into nuclear diplomacy to support the national policy and posture, he said.

He said that Pakistan, Afghanistan ,Uzbekistan had recently Signed Joint agreement for rail Link to connect with Central Asia, Russia to transfer goods to restrengthen the  China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Earlier in the introductory remarks Prof: Dr. Ameer Khuhro Dean Faculty of the Social Science Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur,  Prof: Dr. Liquat Ali Chandio Director of Institute of International Relations Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur and Dr. Sarfaraz Ali Korejo Executive Director students’ advancements fund endowment Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur and Dr. Ishrat Mirani had shared their valuable remarks on the Book and they said that inked MOU with  Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh will encourage the Students of the Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur in the field of research, Internship and other programs.

Dr. Saba Sehar  Associate Director Research at CISSS Karachi said that CISS established in 2021, had organized National and international conference and she said that to establish positive linkages with academic institutions of higher learning in Sindh.

She said that CISSSA Sponsor and groom a talent pool of young scholars through effective writing, talks and wide participation in seminars and conferences.

She said that CISSA hosts and provides a forum to national and international think tanks, and those involved in Track – 1.5 / 2 dialogues, to engage in meaningful debate on official policies on nuclear/strategic issues.

Safia Malik who had written a Book review on the “The Security Imperative – Pakistan`s Nuclear Deterrence and Diplomacy had shared her experiences and Thoughts.

Ambassador Zamir Akram Author of the Book The Security Imperative – Pakistan`s Nuclear Deterrence and Diplomacy highlighted the biased and unfair treatment towards Pakistan in the nuclear realm.

He stressed that Pakistan had repeatedly made clear that the development of its nuclear program was a ‘security imperative’ and India-specific.

The failure of security alliances to protect Pakistan`s territorial integrity and sovereignty in 1965 and 1971, contributed to engendering the determination to acquire nuclear weapon capabilities.

The 1998 testing was the finest hour in the history of Pakistan. These tests brought about a paradigm shift in the historic correlation of power between Pakistan and India and replaced it with a new security calculus between India and Pakistan.

He also said that credible deterrence does not remain static because of changes in technology and policy. Therefore, Pakistan should be vigilant and continuously evolve its conventional and nuclear capabilities to avoid nuclear ‘blackmail’ from India.

He said that he first contacted Oxford University Press, but Oxford University Press refused to publish his book, however Paramount Books Limited published his book.

He said that Bhutto proved that Pakistan has capability to Launch Nuclear Program in a time when the USA and India criticized that Pakistan has no capability to launch Nuclear Program.

He said that ZA Bhutto in 1972 held a secret meeting in Multan with the Scientists to launch Nuclear Program.

He said that Bill Clinton had pressurized on Benazir Bhutto to rollback nuclear Program of Pakistan but Benazir Bhutto refused and told him that despite of the US sanctions Pakistan will survive.

He said that we should have to focus now on Artificial Intelligent as well as to focus on Development technologies, besides this to Economic challenges, Terrorism and Sectarian violence.

He also talked about Nuclear Doctrine and he also answered the raised questions from him by the Teachers, Students and Journalists about the security issues and Threat to Nuclear Installations and future Challenges.

Teachers, Students and people of the different Segment of Society in a Large number had attended the Book Launch ceremony of “The Security Imperative – Pakistan`s Nuclear Deterrence and Diplomacy.

Earlier The Leadership of Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh, Karachi & Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur Signed MoU at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chair, of capacity building of the Students, specially offered internship Program.

Published under International Cooperation with "Sindh Courier"