KARACHI: On the second day of the international conference on ‘Peace in South Asia: Opportunities and Challenges’ organised by the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA), a more grave tone was adopted by speakers regarding the trajectory of the country with regards to internal and external disputes, resource management and distribution, security and terrorism-related issues, as well as how to settle inter-state disputes, several of which Pakistan is currently part of.

With nuclear security a pressing issue considering escalating tensions between Pakistan and its neighbouring countries, former senior official of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Anita Nilsson emphasised on the need for restraint and confidence-building measures by the country.

“Security measures enable the continued use of nuclear power for energy; it encourages trust and is a way forward,” she said.

“What are the opportunities and challenges for peace and development with regards to Pakistan? One important thing in this regard is the clarification of the scope of the different kinds of activities and recognise the value if a full separation is done between the military programme and the civil sector use of nuclear material. This is something that could and would facilitate development and cooperation.”

Another suggestion she put forward is to show credible clarity in how different materials are used. “It would not generate a feeling or assumption that there is a spillover from the military sector to the civil sector or vice versa.”

Ambassador Munir Akram spoke about Pakistan’s security paradigm in a nuclear dimension and explained why Pakistan becoming a nuclear power was essential to its survival. He explained how there was at present a lot of talk about Pakistan becoming more Islamic and questions raised about the safety of the bomb within the borders, but there was little talk about India becoming more Hindu. At present, he opined, the confidence with which India claims it can target Pakistan’s arsenal indicates a strong backing from the US under the current administration which is increasingly isolating Pakistan.

He also warned of an India-Pakistan conflict that could escalate beyond control, thereby warning those present that the country was in a state of crisis. The most likely danger of a nuclear crisis arises from, he believes, revolt of the people of occupied Kashmir and India’s massive suppression of the revolt; India’s increasing violations of the 2003 Line of Control ceasefire as well as its constant threats to launch surgical strikes or start a limited war, or a ‘cold start’ attack against Pakistan.

Water management

Water issues faced by Pakistan on the domestic and international fronts were also discussed at the conference, and Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel carefully outlined the various ways in which Pakistan was dependent for its supply of water.

As for the Indus Waters Treaty, he reiterated the need several times that with the evolution of international law, India and Pakistan needed to comprehensively, and with the help of scientifically credible studies, address the various loopholes and omissions in the treaty.

“There are a number of issues in the treaty. As this treaty was negotiated in the 1950s, international law at the time was in its infancy. Some of the issues not clear are concerning the water share of the rivers. It also has some references to the quality of water, but it lacks elaborate provisions about ensuring pollution control in the rivers. And of course what about the impacts of climate change which is in fact water change because the one sector which will see the most dramatic manifestations is the water supply.”

Many speakers at the conference reiterated that despite Pakistanis being known to be extremely hospitable the world over, with regards to foreign relations with its neighbours there is no positive progress. Thus, it is time to reflect upon and address the concerns raised to make Pakistan more integrated economically and with regards to it foreign relations.

Recommendations put forth in the two-day conference, insisted the speakers, should be collected and taken to the higher levels of the government for the benefit of the country and its citizens.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2017