THE nuclear boast by a federal minister in the National Assembly on Monday was not required. The minister, retired Lt-Gen Abdul Qadir Baloch, says he spent seven of his years in the army on the Line of Control, which apparently qualified him to talk of what he called a “matching” response to an “aggressive” India. But his warning was rather superfluous, for the dangers of having two skirmishing nuclear-armed neighbours are too well known to need further elaboration. The thought is chilling enough even without the good minister having to throw in a few thrills of his own. In fact, once such fears are sparked, particularly given the current spike in border hostilities, all adventurous talk even remotely connected with the use of nuclear force should be shunned. This logic did not seem to strike Mr Baloch who was heard reminding everyone that if “countries possess any capability for their defence; they don’t keep it only in cold storage. This capability can be used in times of need”. Most people would be likely to miss the balancing act that Mr Baloch was trying to put up by “reassuring” his audience that Pakistan had maintained its nuclear capability with “utmost responsibility”.

The minister was obviously indulging in the kind of posturing that has sadly been considered necessary at this moment in both India and Pakistan. However, he took the intimidating battle that the two sides have been locked in to an altogether different level — perhaps compelled by all the critique of his government which has been accused of reacting too softly to Indian aggression on the borders. There are other political parties that have tried to use the situation to press their own credentials and Pakistanis are reacting with anger to news about their countrymen being hit by cross-border fire from the Indian forces. The current spur in hostilities makes it difficult enough for Pakistan and India to jointly pursue a less dangerous future. Let’s not aggravate the situation by bringing in the nukes.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014