Brigadier Zahir Ul Haider Kazmi, Director General, Arms Control & Disarmament ,
Dr. Shahid Riaz Khan, Director Scientific Information & Public Relations (Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission),
Mr. Anwer Habib, former Chairman, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority,
Prof. Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Director, Politics & International Relations, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islambad
Prof. Dr. Naeem Ahmed, Chairman, Department of International Relations, University of Karachi,
Ladies & Gentlement,
It’s a great privilege for me, certainly for all the audience here, that highly knowledgeable, prominently qualified, renowned experts and even more responsible personalities from the field of nuclear sciences have shared their valuable views with us today. I am sure we all stay convinced that Pakistan is a responsible state, using its nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
On this occasion I can confidently affirm that the Government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan unanimously believe in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The purpose of Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities was, is and will remain to use the nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. When we have a glance at the rapidly growing population of Pakistan and even the faster growing power needs of this population, one can convincingly understand that it is impossible to meet these needs by use of the conventional methods and techniques for power generation. Our nuclear plant are significantly (not sufficiently though) helping our power requirements. Pakistan is a country that has struggled extremely hard and faced huge number of invaluable lives of its citizens and inflicted with massive economic losses during the past two decades.
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was established nine years after its independence, that is, in the year 1956. The nomenclature PAEC itself clearly indicates that the purpose is to produce energy the energy to meet its need for peaceful purpose. In this concern, hundreds of Pakistani students were sent abroad by Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technology (PINSTECH) for training. The training of Pakistani students abroad again testifies that for the peaceful purpose we have had assistance and cooperation at international level.
Pakistan became a nuclear power 21 years ago. Acquiring this status was the only choice because the government and the people of Pakistan well understood the geo-political scenario of Pakistan and the history of its relations with the neighbors. No nation can afford to overlook the essentials for its survival. Believing that weakness invites aggression, Pakistan has acquired the capability to protect its borders and its people against any foreign adventures. Self-defense is the basic right of every human being and collectively, of every state and nation of the world.
I would like to quote here some words authored by Professor Kenneth Waltz the renowned proliferation optimist who says: “Nuclear weapons have been the second force working for peace in the post-war world. They make the cost of war seem frighteningly high and thus discourage states from starting any wars that might lead to the use of such weapons. Nuclear weapons have helped maintain peace between the great powers and have not led their few other possessors into military adventures”.
Professor Waltz also says: “If a country has nuclear weapons, it will not be attacked militarily in ways that threaten its manifestly vital interests. That is one hundred percent true, without exception, over a period of more than fifty years.” This viewpoint strongly supports the nuclear status of Pakistan. I would like to add that Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD) is the guiding principle of Pakistan’s nuclear strategy.
Pakistan consistently stands by its policy to develop an efficient and consumer centric power generation, transmission and distribution system that meets the needs of its people and supports the country’s economy in a sustainable and affordable manner. The main concern of our nuclear plants has been to completely eliminate the power load-shedding, decreasing the cost of electricity to affordable level for the citizens, and increasing revenue collection to support its economy. During the recent years, our industries have faced a significant setback due to power deficit which has ultimately placed a negative impact on the life of a considerable portion of our population in social and economic forms. Nuclear power for peaceful use is our highly-deserved priority and our faith. I would emphatically say that Pakistan is a peaceful country and state, and its people love peace and deserve peace in return. The establishment of a dedicated security division in the National Command Authority is a testament of Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring nuclear safety and security.
Being an academician I can say with all certainty that we are engaged on concentrating on learning new knowledge and skills for socio-economic growth and development. We are followers of a faith ‘Islam’ which itself means Peace. In our educational institutions and in the overall society, we are spreading the message of peace and prosperity through projects and schemes like tree plantation campaigns. Our nuclear scientists are engaged on We are committed to see our country a peaceful place to live. We firmly believe that peaceful neighbors together ensure a peaceful region, a peaceful continent and finally a peaceful world. Let the world realize with all sincerity and devotion that nuclear energy is utilized in human service instead of human destruction. Let it be clear that Pakistan cannot afford to stay negligent on the issue of any military threats from its neighborhood.
I offer my sincere felicitations to the organizers of this seminar and once again admire the kind participation of the valued speakers whose views, I am sure, will help the international community believe that Pakistan is committed to use nuclear energy for peace and peaceful purposes only.
Thank you all ladies and gentlemen.
Ref: (Kenneth Waltz, “The Spread of Nuclear Weapons: More May Better,” Adelphi Papers, Number 171 (London: International Institute for Strategic Studies, 1981)