The test explosions by Pakistan was more of a reciprocation to the tests conducted by India but this reaction could result in far-reaching effects on the economy of the country and harmony in the South Asian region. It has become all that more important for the policy makers to revise the foreign policy in the wake of the nuclear explosions. To create awareness among the sections of society as to what course the policy makers should take, Journalists Resource Centre, invited former state minister for foreign affairs and other thinkers to discuss the issue.

Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali, while elaborating on the post nuclear scenario in South-Asia, strongly urged upon the government to sign Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and reconsider its stance of Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to delve the country out of the impending economic crisis.

He was of the opinion that under the prevailing geo-political situation it was in the interest of the country to change its policies in accordance with the post-explosion scenario.

Mentioning various articles of the CTBT, he maintained that Pakistan had the option to withdraw from the Treaty in case India posed any serious security threat. 

He said that the decision was taken to which cabinet defence committee stood witness, it became imperative for the government to immediately respond to the Indian nuclear tests. He viewed that the political leadership was not willing to act upon the decision as it was delayed for 17 days. He said that the government’s decision to detonate the nuclear devices was just to prolong its tenure.

Discerning the response of the international super powers after detonation of 11 nuclear devices in the subcontinent region within a span of two weeks, he said that the sanctions imposed against Pakistan were with the purpose to exert economic pressure on the country as a repercussion of the detonations. He said that India would have to face the same situation afterwards.

Responding to a question, he said that the Arab countries were in a position to revoke the sanctions imposed on Pakistan by the west, but they were not willing to do so.

He said the previous PPP regime, despite all the pressures from the United States, continued with its nuclear programme. He informed the audience that when Indian Prime Minister Narasimha Rao planned to conduct the nuclear tests, it was the response of the then Pakistani government that held him back from taking a decision.

He was of the opinion that it was the mishandling of the situation on the part of the government that aggravated the financial crisis in the country. He further said that the writing-off and default of the loans by the rulers had, in fact, led the country’s economy to the verge of collapse. He said that government’s ill treatment with the foreign investors and Independent Power Projects was another factor, which led to the prevailing economic dilemma. He said the policies of the government were in defiance of the national interest and its ouster was necessary for the country’s survival. He criticised the role of the opposition parties for not mobilising the people to get rid of the incompetent rulers.

Mrs. Khawar Mumtaz, an expert on international relations, expressed her deep concern on the nuclear tests conducted by both India and With a humanitarian perspective she observed that the political parties in both the countries should work for nurturing peace in the region instead of fanning hatred.

She pointed out that the rulers of both the countries should realise that there are precedents where nuclear powers were defeated by those equipped with conventional weapons.

General Secretary PPP Punjab, Professor Ijazul Hassan stressed that the political parties and the masses should launch a campaign against nuclear weapons. He lamented that instead of spending on the human resource development, the poor countries like India and Pakistan were producing devices to eliminate them. He said that raising the standard of living of the people was the best defence against any aggression as the increasing poverty would erode the patriotism of the masses otherwise.

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