National interest to be safeguarded before signing CTBT

ISLAMABAD, Sep 18 (APP): Pakistan has shown its willingness to consider acceding to the CTBT provided its economic and security interests are adequately addressed by the western countries. Foreign Minister's assurance to the Parliament that Pakistan would not sign the treaty until all sanctions have been withdrawn should put all speculations to rest. Since the test of nuclear capability in May, a debate has started whether Pakistan should sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty or not. A section of the public opinion has argued that after demonstrating that Pakistan has the technology and essential materials to manufacture nuclear weapons, it does not need any further testing. The data collected from the Chaghi tests could be used to prefect the nuclear devices, and help simulate tests on the computers in future. They think, signing the CTBT would help Pakistan secure much needed loans from the International Monetary Fund and other international financial institutions. Otherwise, Pakistan will have to default on the repayment of loans that will have serious consequences on the national economy. But the question is should Pakistan sign the treaty under coercion or skillfully bargain for a better deal? There are those among us, mostly the conservative religious elements, who vehemently argue against signing of the CTBT. They are interested more in pursuing their ideological and political agendas than engaging in a serious debate on this issue of prime national interest. Many of them believe that signing the CTBT would cripple Pakistan's nuclear capability, open up nuclear facilities to international inspections, and force Pakistan to roll back its nuclear programme. These opinions about the CTBT and Pakistan's nuclear programme show serious lack of understanding. A careful reading of the treaty would show that it only binds the signatory states not to test nuclear devices in future. And according to the expert opinion, Pakistan's nuclear capability would remain unaffected by such a commitment. The treaty does not ban the sub-zero yield laboratory nuclear testing, which nobody can rule out anywhere in the world. The only sites that can be inspected on the complaint of any other member of the treaty are those where a country is suspected of having conducted underground tests. More importantly, a country that has signed the CTBT can withdraw from the treaty on six months notice on the grounds of threats to national security.