On 28 June, 2022, the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) in collaboration with Karakoram International University (KIU) organized a national consultative seminar on ‘National Security Imperatives-A Comprehensive Framework of Traditional and Non-Traditional Security Determinants’ to highlight the importance of the National Security Imperatives and to provide an in-depth understanding of national security aspirations and a holistic national security framework. Senior military and government officials, academics and experts from the field of nuclear and space technologies participated in the seminar.
Lt. Gen. Mazhar Jamil, Advisor NCA, highlighted the interconnectedness of traditional and non-traditional elements of national security in his keynote address and said that Pakistan is facing numerous security challenges both traditional and non-traditional which needs to be addressed comprehensively. Pakistan cannot isolate itself from global power politics and we must build our national power potential without getting consumed by the great-power competition. Economic and military security are intertwined and without a robust traditional and non-traditional security framework, it would remain hollow.
The US led west is supporting Indian conventional and military build-up while also providing access to advanced nuclear technologies and materials disregarding the international norms and commitments of non-proliferation regime. Stressing upon the Hindu nationalism and religious extremism supported by the western patrons, Gen. Jamil accentuated that this support is making India a highly irresponsible nuclear power. It has been witnessed in the past decade and a half that any political or military support that New Delhi receives, it tends to use it against Pakistan while presenting itself as a counterweight against China.
In the face of growing Indian military capability and aggressive doctrines, Pakistan has no choice but to take countermeasures to any Indian attempt of creating imbalance in the region and launching any military aggression. As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan seeks strategic stability and shall maintain Full Spectrum Deterrence (FSD) while remaining open to exploring bilateral arms control mechanisms with India to reduce nuclear risks and prevent war,
Pakistan wants peace internally and externally. For that it is willing to work with India for the resolution of all outstanding disputes including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir on the basis of principle of equality. Therefore, the onus of responsibility lies on India for taking appropriate measures to create an enabling environment for resolution of disputes and for enduring peace and stability in the region.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Executive Director CISS Amb. Ali Sarwar Naqvi gave a detailed account of Pakistan’s security imperatives in the background of Pakistani nuclear and space programs. “Pakistan’s success in harnessing the peaceful atom for socio-economic development has earned it the respect and recognition of the IAEA. I was a personal witness to the IAEA’s favorable view of Pakistan when I was Ambassador to the Agency in Vienna”, said Amb. Naqvi.
While talking about Pakistan’s Space Vision 2047, Amb. Naqvi underlined that it is the intermediary step aimed at peaceful exploration of space to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals towards the water, climate, agriculture, and health security. Similarly, one of the glaring needs is to emphasize regional strategic dynamics and challenges, essentially, the role of emerging technologies and their impact on deterrence and strategic stability. In this regard, it is also essential to understand Pakistan’s responsible role in nuclear safety and security compliance with different nuclear proliferation regimes’ provisions and Pakistan’s rational outlook vis-à-vis its adversary.
Mr. Zafar Iqbal, member SAR (SUPARCO) stated that SUPARCO is emphasizing on an integrated use of space applications and available enabling technologies as a mainstream tool in development planning both at federal and provincial levels. For this very purpose, a Space Applications and Research Centre is being established in GB, which would be fully operational in spring of next year.
Pakistan is cognizant of the fact that the future use of space will be marked by an increased emphasis on practical applications in space domain therefore it has prioritized the use of space applications and Geo-Spatia information services to contribute to the fullest extent in socio-economic development of the country.
Dr. Ansar Pervez, Former Chairman PAEC deliberated upon the role of PAEC in achieving the sustainable development goals in Pakistan. He said that with all the advanced facilities and services, PAEC is playing a significant role in the socioeconomic development of the country, and contributing to at least 11 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Pakistan is increasing its reliance on more clean energy alternatives. Pakistan is on its way to building more nuclear power plants to increase further nuclear power’s role in overcoming future energy needs.
According to Pakistan Economic Survey 2020-2021, 59.2% electricity comes from thermal, 30% from Hydroelectric, 2.23% from renewable sources and 7.82% from nuclear. Experts from the field of nuclear technology were of the view that nuclear energy is the only viable option for electricity generation. An expanded role of nuclear energy in power generation is required, alongside growth in other forms of low-carbon power generation, to create a sustainable future energy system. This way Pakistan can overcome the challenge of ever increasing energy demand and per unit production cost.
Underscoring Pakistan’s role as a responsible nuclear power, Dr. Iftikhar Ali, Assistant professor KIU said that Pakistan is determined to safeguard its national security and foreign policy objectives and has exhibited this commitment by fulfilling its international obligations as a responsible nuclear weapon state pursuing effective export controls. Pakistan has been playing a leading role to foster an effective export control regulatory framework which is not only at par with that of any technologically advanced country, but also meets the standards of existing multilateral export control regime.
Pakistan recognizes its obligations to strengthen international nonproliferation and export control regime. It has completed all the pre-requisites to gain full access for international nuclear trade for peaceful purposes. Pakistan‘s overall past efforts and non-proliferation credentials are well documented, but despite its track record, its peaceful nuclear programme suffered due to the discriminatory policies of the multilateral export control regime.
Amb. Naqvi concluded that it is essential to partake in the processes and procedures to uphold the national security goals steadfastly and aspire to achieve peace and stability in South Asia.
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