Brig RK Singh (Retd)
Pakistan is an established nuclear and terror country. In the comity of nations Pakistan really has No say in invigorating international developmental arenas. It hardly represents and has significance on any of the economic, scientific and geopolitical platforms at global level. Pakistan since beginning has been paddling elliptically to conjure support from West and China and the canoe kept toppling intermittently representing wavering stances of Pakistan i.e duality in dealings, denials without shame and intellectually philistine. On a daily basis Pakistan reflects of a beleaguered nation which epitomises poverty, unscrupulous governance, lackadaisical civil administration, iron military hand, obsequious polity on mercy of Army, internal rife, borrower of indefinite loans and a pathetic repayment defaulter, the list is endless but stands tall as a prolific contributor to terror around the world especially so in neighbourhood and against western democracies.
Geo politically India has emerged as a tall leader and has the heft to garner support form world fora and willingness of its population to reproach Pakistan being a terror nation. Lessons have been conveyed to Pakistan through Surgical Strikes, Balakot Operations and now Op Sindoor but it remains incorrigible rouge. India has taken several actions to stroke Pakistan diplomatically, economically and even the bogy of nuclear threat has been called off during Op Sindoor but it remains delinquent and denies experiencing any diplomatic, economic and physical (destruction of terror and military infrastructures during Op Sindoor)anguish.
What is intriguing that the world leadership has allowed Pakistan to issue open threats to India post Op Sindoor as well. Pakistan over relies on terror and nuclear arsenal to extend their foreign policies with India irrespective of their meager economy and sufferings of people. Hush-hush behaviour and softened stance of USA with Pakistan after Op Sindoor is no secret, firstly Munir and now Pakistan Air Chief is cosying up in the US power corridors.
Why an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring of Pakistan is necessary finds answer in the internal security situation of Pakistan. Pakistan is governed by Army, ISI, feeble democratic representatives, crony Judges, religious preachers, terrorist (including narcotic terrorists) factions- LeT, JeM, TTP, Baluch, ISIS, HuM etc. The population is torn amongst them and factionalism runs deep within the heads to establish and wield the writ. The change of guard can happen sooner than expected as even the Pakistan Army is divided amongst the terrorist groups. Therefore the world and IAEA have to think long term and there is a need to row the Pakistan’s nuclear canoe in a straight line. The country is really torn between many ideas which are alarming .On a given day Pakistan may break and nuclear assets may fall in the hands of TTP /Baluch/ ISIS or other groups since they were located in strategic depth from India. The country is not being run with one edict but by many voices, factions, controlled media in urban and semi urban areas, ironically in rural and backward areas media and governance are absent, local laws prevail, minorities are almost extinct, education system is really primitive and the ills are galore there for before it runs into deep trouble Pakistan needs to be nuclear disarmed by West and IAEA. Allowing space to Pakistan will be a big folly. In any case India has to guard against the fallouts due to fragility of Pakistan. USA has some ulterior motives to be lively with Pakistan and ignore the nuclear issue due to its locale on the world map. USA by sitting in Pakistan can influence Middle East, Iran, CAR nations, Russia, Afghanistan and China. Pakistan allows both launch and logistic bases to USA. India has to up the ante against Pakistan nuclear assets and take it up with UNSC and IAEA to force Pakistan to cooperate in the nuclear facilities inspection and seek to promote safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
Firstly, India has to work assiduously to get Pakistan included in the grey list of FATF; secondly, economic losses to Pakistan to become unbearable in times to come and thirdly, IWT suspension to be developed for own profits. The test lies in how much Pakistan can cope within and what financial help showers from USA and China. Regrettably endlessness of loan demands will never perish. Pakistan will further slip into financial crisis and may compromise on its nuclear assets.
The Western World should recognise threats emanating from nuclear Pakistan and initiate sanctions against terror, unanimously put Pakistan in FATF grey list, UNSC to compel Pakistan to dismantle terror outfits, spur Pakistan to NPT and expedite actions through IAEA. Washington needs to see Iran and Pakistan on the same plank since both oppose Israel equally. Geopolitics and economics aligns old and new friends and adversaries/ enemies in an evolving manner. A country oblivious of the basic needs chooses nuclear bombs over bread. Pakistan population cannot be forced to outrageous decisions of Pak Army. Pakistan has to be made to realize the enormity of economic bankruptcy.
Pakistan is not even sensitive to the security of their nationals due to terror ego. Expectation of sanity from Pakistan is far cry therefore World has to be wary of irresponsible handlers of nuclear weapons. Pakistan is in a difficult rapid and nuclear canoe may capsize due to large swell of debts and unpredictable economic insolvency. Meanwhile, India has to be stern with Pakistan’s oblique canoe path and undercurrents of nuclear terrorism.
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has limits, will Pakistan excel to limit itself. (The views expressed are of the author)
