report on the one day media workshop...

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REPORT ON THE ONE DAY MEDIA WORKSHOP

ON

“GLOBAL STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENT & ISSUES OF TERRORISM AND

NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION: PAKISTAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME”

March 18, 2015

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LIST OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary...........................................................................................Page 3

Workshop Programme.......................................................................................Page 5

List of Participants.............................................................................................Page 6

List of Acronyms...............................................................................................Page 8

Acknowledgements...........................................................................................Page 9

Overview of Proceedings.................................................................................Page 10

Picture Gallery..................................................................................................Page 17

SSII in Press......................................................................................................0

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A 28 member journalist delegation of the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ)

was hosted by the Strategic Studies Institute Islamabad (SSII) for a one-day workshop on

“Global Strategic Environment & Issues of Terrorism and Nuclear Proliferation: Pakistan’s

Nuclear Programme” (18 March 2015). The workshop comprised of three interactive sessions

chaired by experts including DG SSII Dr. Shireen M Mazari, and Director General ACDA

Strategic Plans Division Mr. Khalid Banuri.

Dr. Shireen M Mazari introduced the workshop with a brief overview of the world order in

the post-Cold War era. She said that the world has two competing global orders. One is uni-

polarity (single hegemon) and the other is the “Coalition of the Willing” while the whole

notion of security has been redefined whereby the UN system has been undermined. After the

Cold War, people started to assume that economics would dominate, but if we look at the

collapse of the Soviet Union, militarisation has now become even more predominant than

before. Economic issues are becoming militarised in many ways and they are now used for

politico-military purposes.

She also mentioned that the contemporary international system is also marked with the

phenomenon of globalization, where the states are not the only actors in shaping the global

environment. The international regimes coupled with Multi National Corporations and Non-

governmental Organizations play a crucial role in policy making. Dr. Mazari argued that

there is a myth created that Pakistan is militarily dependent on the US, however in reality

Pakistan’s strategic weapons are indigenously developed. While discussing the prevailing

international system, she also referred to Ralph Peter’s article titled: “Blood Borders” that

was published after 9/11 in US Armed Forces Journal where he mentioned that the powerful

Muslim states would be weakened and ultimately would be broken up which is exactly what

is happening in the Middle East. In conclusion she highlighted that there is a window of

opportunity for Pakistan to assert itself as it is located in a very significant geographic

position.

During the course of the daylong workshop, issues of arms control and disarmament were

also brought under discussion. Dr. Mazari highlighted how the Indo-US nuclear deal and the

Nuclear Suppliers’ Group waiver for India had undermined the global non-proliferation

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regime. She said that the contemporary non-proliferation debate was focused exclusively on

the nuclear programmes of certain countries namely Iran and Pakistan. In order to make

progress on the issue there was a need to talk about the proliferation by Western countries

especially those supporting the Israeli nuclear programme. In conclusion Dr. Mazari

suggested that the only way forward for both India and Pakistan was the security route to

cooperation, which would be based on mutual trust and would enhance cooperation between

both the nations. The session included discussion by the journalists on issues of nuclear

policy.

During the following session, Director General ACDA (Strategic Plans Division) Mr. Khalid

Banuri presented the contours of nuclear politics in South Asia and explained the uses of

nuclear technology both for military and peaceful uses. He elaborated the Non-Proliferation

efforts by international non- proliferation and disarmament regime. All sessions were

followed by interactive discussions.

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WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

Session I

11:00 a.m. Welcome/Tea

11:30 a.m. The Changing Global Strategic Environment &

Terrorism – DG SSII Dr. Shireen M Mazari

12:15 p.m. Discussion

1:00 p.m. Lunch

Session II

2:00 p.m. Nuclear proliferation: Shift post 9/11 – DG SSII Dr. Shireen M

Mazari


3:30 p.m. Break

Session III

3:40 p.m. Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy – DG ACDA Strategic Plans Division,

Khalid Banuri


5:00 p.m. Certificate Distribution and Group Photograph.

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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

S.No Name Organization Contact Email

1 Shakila Jalil Daily Voice of

Pakistan

0334-5526008 [email protected]

2 Alamdar Hussain Daily Asas 0331-5418642 [email protected]

3 Fahim Zubair Abbasi Al Sharq 0300-5206089 [email protected]

4 Nasar Ahmed Daily Muhasab 0345-6368786 [email protected]

5 Zahid Hussain Daily Abbasian 0321-5029168 [email protected]

6 Gulzar Khan Daily Jahan Pakistan 0321-5353836 [email protected]

7 Malik Aamir Saqib Daily Pardes 0333-8202008 [email protected]

8 Tahir Mehmood Awan NaiBaat 0321-5211073 [email protected]

9 Niaz Lashari Roze TV News 0333-5351008 [email protected]

10 Qaiser Mehmood ILM TV 0333-5164211 [email protected]

11 Shams Abbasi Reporter APP 0300-5505235 [email protected]

12 Amir Sultan Daily Harf e Lazam 0301-5635162 [email protected]

13 Asif Butt News1 TV 0301-5501543 [email protected]

14 Faaran Shahid Nawai Waqt 0332-5979081 [email protected]

15 Izhar Khan Niazi Royal TV 0333-5499786 [email protected]

16 Raja Kamran Roze TV Isb 0334-5178103 [email protected]

17 Fauzia Khan NNA 0308-5293212 [email protected]

18 Fauzia Kalsoom Rana Radio 0313-5488979 [email protected]

19 Adeel Bashir Roze TV/ The

Patriot


20 Ishtiaq Gondal Roze TV 0336-0005570 [email protected]

21 Yasir Baloch USH News Tv 0321-5100659 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]




















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22 Muhammad Tayyab Holiday Times/PBC 0313-8025313 [email protected]

23 Raza Abid Mustafa Chief Reporter Roze

Tv


24 Shakir Abbasi Daily Naibaat/A

Lite News


25 Ahmed Raza Nawai Waqat 0300-6947779

26 Imran Khan Daily Voice of

Pakistan


27 Dost M Khan Dawn News (Gujar

Khan)


28 Sardar Hameed Daily Country News 0333-5305570 [email protected]





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LIST OF ACRONYMS

AC&D Arms Control & Disarmament

AG Australia Group

BLA Balcoh Liberation Army

BRA Baloch Republican Army

BJP Bharatiya Janta Party

CBM Confidence Building Measure

CD Conference on Disaramanet

CTBT Comprehesive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

FMCT Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty

FMT Fisslie Material Treaty

GWOT Global War on Terror

IED Improvised Explosvie Device

LTBT Limited Test ban Treaty

LEAs Law Enforcment Agencies

MAD Mutually Assured Destruction

MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime

MNA Member National Assembly

NSA Negative Secuirty Assurance

NSG Nuclear Suppliers’ Group

PAROS Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space

PNRA Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority

PTBT Partial Test ban Treaty

WA Wassenaar Arrangment

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

On the initiative of Strategic Studies Institute Islamabad (SSII) an attempt has been made to

bring together media personnel from both electronic as well as print mediums. The main

object is to understand the opportunities and challenges for these journalists in policy

understanding, analysing, reporting, and commenting on issues of foreign and defence policy.

In view of the developing political and security situation, the theme selected for the workshop

was evolving global strategic environment and counter-terrorism.

The Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) participants comprised of 28

members from different news agencies and media houses. It must be mentioned that the

participation of members could not have been possible without the support of Mr Bilal Dar,

general secretary RIUJ.

A lot of hard work went into the organization of this workshop and those who assisted in

organizing and its program need to be acknowledged at the very offset of this report:

The constant guidance and supervision of Director General SSII, MNA Dr. Shireen M.

Mazari at every phase of planning and organisation of this event played a critical role in

ensuring a comprehensive program management. Special thanks is extended to the Resource

Person Director General ACDA (Strategic Plans Division) Mr Khalid Banuri without whose

academic inputs and presentations, the contents of the workshop would have remained

insufficient.

The support and assistance of SSII research and administration staff is deeply appreciated as

they worked relentlessly towards ensuring a well organised workshop. The workshop would

not have been possible without the efforts of Irfan Janjua, Admin Officer, Muhammad

Adnan, Assistant Admin, Tahreen Akbar and Abdul Qadeer (Research Team) and Hassan

Hakeem, Incharge Programmes.

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OVERVIEW OF PROCEEDINGS

Highlights of Session I

DG Dr Shireen M. Mazari welcomed the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ)

on behalf of the Strategic Studies Institute Islamabad (SSII) and presented them a sound

system, as a donation for their press club. General Secretary RIUJ, Bilal Dar welcomed this

gesture with his remarks of gratitude. In the first session titled “Global Strategic Environment

and Issues of Terrorism”, Dr. Mazari began with a brief overview of the world order in the

post-Cold War era by saying that since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, the world

has structurally been in a state of flux. During the Cold War period, the system of bipolarity

prevailed where two blocs were competing for world domination. NATO was a military

alliance which was the US-led western bloc and the Soviet-led bloc was the WARSAW pact.

After disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1989, the rationalisation of NATO changed to

focus on out of area operations. She said that European Union is the only supranational

organisation in the world whose member states comply with its defence, foreign, and trade

policies. She further added that the concept of non-state actors has emerged in the uni-polar

world after collapse of the Soviet Union, and states now involve in asymmetric warfare rather

than engaging in full-scale wars.

The definition of terrorism has also changed in the new order. According to the UN Charter,

groups fighting for there self-determination are not terrorists, whereas, any violent group

would be put under the term of terrorist. One of the journalists pointed out that Kashmir’s

struggle for independence has been gravely affected due to new international norms –

Kashmiri freedom fighters now come under a similar umbrella. Dr Mazari stated that, in the

present international norms, violence against the civilians or state has become entirely

unacceptable. In the era of globalisation, terrorism is also globalised. Terrorism in Pakistan

became globalised when the local terrorist organisations clumped up with the ‘Al Qaeda’

demonstrating global jihad. Elaborating on the rise of Kalashnikov culture, she exclaimed

that although the Kalashnikovs have been banned in Pakistan but licenses are still being

given. To which a participant added that these weapons are kept with the plea of self-defense.

However, self-defense is the state’s responsibility and conventional guns could be used.

Further breaking down the terrorism in Pakistan; it has two strands: sub-nationalists who are

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largely confined to Balochistan and attack state entities instead of civilians; and religious

extremists who have a specific strong support base. There is also ‘Mafia terrorism’ that is

restricted in urban centers which has a political orientation. Talibanisation in Karachi is a

result of mafia politics. One of the participants mentioned that United States’ involvement is

Balochistan is not discussed in the media, Dr Mazari replied, it is the journalists’

responsibility to highlight such issues in their respective circles. Another participant asked if

Baloch nationalists also kidnap religious minorities in Pakistan? Dr Mazari responded,

Baloch nationalists need the local people’s support to win battle against the state. They have

very specific targets.

While speaking on counter terrorism, she elaborated that a holistic strategy is needed in

Pakistan. All the hardcore terrorists are being arrested and hanged while their facilitators and

fence-sitters are not taken into account. The counter terror strategy should also focus on other

aspects. A paramount national security institute should be established to command and deal

with different dimensions. Hardcore militants have to be isolated from fence-sitters in order

to win them back. Different types of mindsets have to be won over. State should secure its

outright supporters in this war; while fence-sitters who are in the middle, they watch and even

support the terrorists if the state fails to provide them security. Hate speech and literature

should be monitored simultaneously. All madrassa should be registered; cases of illegal

construction and land encroachment should be dealt with. In contrast, the government is only

using hardcore military offensive against them and carrying out executions. A participant also

inquired why the Khyber-Pakhunkhwa government could not introduce this strategy, to

which she responded that the negotiations between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were

not pursued with seriousness on the federal government’s behalf, and the pressure for a

military offensive in North Waziristan was building up rapidly. Federally Administered

Tribal Areas (FATA) have not have been mainstreamed after years of partition. Economic

development and genuine political administration has to be brought there for permanent

solution to terrorism. During the discussion, a participant expressed his doubt over

eradication of terrorism through economic stability. Dr Mazari defined, that human beings are

very adaptable and they all have the survival instinct in them that will force them to change

their path. Another question was posed regarding any positive impact of the Afghan war, to

which she said Pakistan should have recognised the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and sorted

out its own issues. The only benefit we had was the West’s blind eye towards our nuclear

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programme. Dr. Mazari concluded the discussion with the point that injustice paves way for

terrorism but terrorism does not bring justice either.

Highlights of Session II

In the second session titled “Nuclear Proliferation: Shift Post 9/11”, Dr. Shireen M. Mazari

discussed the matters of global arms control and disarmament, explaining to the participants

that nuclear disarmament is possible while conventional weapons disarmament is impossible

since war is not declared illegal as yet. While highlighting the discriminatory approach of the

global non-proliferation regime, she reflected on World

War I saying that US had bombed Japan despite the

latter’s acceptance of defeat. She further added that

United States made the first nuclear weapons to

counter the Soviet Union’s growing strength of

conventional weapons. The non-proliferation debate is

essentially centered on the Nuclear Non-proliferation

Treaty (NPT) that is inherently discriminatory in nature. She mentioned how the Indo-US

nuclear deal and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) waiver for India had undermined the

global non-proliferation regime. The recent visit of US President Barack Obama to India was

a follow up of the Indo-US strategic partnership that was signed in 2005. The US announced

its willingness to give India membership of the NSG, and also permanent membership in the

United Nations Security Council. The Indo-US strategic partnership is in violation of the

NPT and hence undermines credibility of the non-proliferation regime. Dr Mazari said that

the contemporary non-proliferation debate was focused exclusively on the nuclear

programmes of certain countries namely Iran and Pakistan. In order to make progress on the

issue there was a need to talk about the proliferation by Western countries especially those

supporting the Israeli nuclear programme. Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) is another

proposed discriminatory treaty, which requires the states to halt the fissile material

production and does not address the existing stockpiles of fissile material. Pakistan proposed

and favors Fissile Material Treaty (FMT) instead, that would require the member states to

reduce their existing stockpiles of fissile material, in order to create a balance in the existing

stockpiles of fissile material. In the case of India and Pakistan, Dr. Mazari suggested that the

only way forward for both the nuclear capable states was the security route to cooperation

which would be based on mutual trust and would enhance cooperation between both the

“Confidence Building Measures

are mandatory for overcoming the

trust deficit between India and

Pakistan; this will also decrease

the dangers of war.” – Dr.

Shireen M. Mazari

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nations. The trust deficit between India and Pakistan can be reduced by formulating

everything step by step in writing, and following those steps. As this procedure creates

Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), trust deficit could be overcome. However, Pakistan

has been involved in CBMs over a period of time, both India and Pakistan have to move

towards conflict resolution. Speaking on Iran’s nuclear negotiations, she said that Iran was a

signatory of NPT. It was making uranium for power generation. If the Iran-US negotiations

are successful, it will have to sign for full-scale safeguards by IAEA, although the agreement

is going to be for ten years. It is in Iran’s favour that its frozen bank accounts in West will

reopen, and the West will start investing in Iran.

Highlights of Session III

Director General, Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs, Strategic Plans Division, Mr.

Khalid Banuri discussed nuclear politics in South Asia and explained the uses of nuclear

technology both for military as well as civilian uses. He elaborated the Non-Proliferation

efforts by international non-proliferation and

disarmament regime. He said, “Non- proliferation

treaty (NPT) is an example of the formal mechanisms

of the nuclear non- proliferation regime which is

inherently discriminatory in nature. Some informal

mechanisms are also significant like the Nuclear

Supplier Group (NSG) which has also become a

ground for nuclear politics in South Asia”. Mr. Banuri

explained the salient features of different technology

control regimes including the NSG, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Australia

Group (AG) and Wassenaar Arrangement (WA). These regimes consist of advanced

technology holders with selective membership.

Talking about the geo-strategic landscape of South Asia, Mr. Banuri said that having three

nuclear powers in close proximity (Pakistan, China and India) makes the geo-strategic

landscape complex and prone to conflicts and competition. The geo-strategic interests of

Pakistan are to maximize benefit from available resources and to safeguard territorial

integrity and sovereignty by increasing national power. Mr. Khalid Banuri said that

Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) are essential to overcome trust deficit between

Pakistan and India to decrease the dangers of war. He emphasised that Pakistan has pursued a

“For twenty-four years (1974-

1998) Pakistan strived hard to

keep nuclear weapons out of

South Asian region and proposed

several suggestions to India. For

example, Pakistan recommended

to India to simultaneously sign

Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty

(NPT), but India denied”— Mr.

Khalid Banuri

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policy of extreme restraint in the nuclear realm. Mr. Banuri argued that “For twenty-four

years (1974-1998) Pakistan strived hard to keep nuclear weapons out of South Asian region

and proposed several suggestions to India. For example, Pakistan recommended to India to

simultaneously sign Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but India denied”. He said that

despite various challenges, nuclear weapons remain secure from non-state actors, unintended

and accidental launches. Mr. Khalid Banuri also explained the peaceful uses of nuclear

technology and its benefits in agriculture and biotechnology. He said that Pakistani nuclear

facilities are well protected in terms of both safety and security.

During the course of the workshop, Mr. Banuri explained that there are two broad

classifications for which the states acquire nuclear weapons. On the one side some states feel

threatened and they go for nuclear security and hence the primary motive for developing

nuclear weapons is deterrence. However, other states have acquired nuclear weapons for

prestige, such as India. Mr. Banuri also quoted the statement of I.K. Gujral, former Prime

Minister of India, “I see only two ways of getting into the clique of leading nations; one is by

acquiring nuclear weapon and the second is economic development. Economic development

is hard to come by; however nuclear weapon will get India into the league of major nations.”

Mr. Banuri while commenting on India’s nuclear posture said that the Bharatiya Janta Party

(BJP) government has remained more aggressive as compared to previous governments in

India. He added that India has brought in the idea of massive retaliation. Strategy of massive

retaliation was first proposed by the US that was later commonly known as Mutually Assured

Destruction (MAD).

Mr. Khalid Banuri also emphasised that after the first nuclear explosion carried out by India

in 1974 while claiming it a peaceful test, Pakistan for years urged United Nations and the

Western powers that Indian nuclear test was not peaceful and not much attention was paid to

the issue by the major powers. However, later it was realised that the test was not meant for

peaceful purposes but had other intentions as well. This exacerbated Pakistan’s threat

perception and Pakistan consequently decided to develop its nuclear weapon. In 1998 when

India again conducted the nuclear tests, Pakistan felt an urgent need to demonstrate its own

prowess in a defensive manner. Pakistan always maintains its security argument that it has

developed nuclear weapons for safeguarding its territorial integrity. Mr. Banuri elaborated the

concept of deterrence and said that its classic definition includes three C’s: Capability,

Communication and Credibility.

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Mr. Banuri also talked about the importance of nuclear energy and said that it remains an

important energy option for most countries. He said, “There is a depletion of other resources

mainly coal and gas and the world is running out of fossil fuels. The nuclear energy is clean,

cheap (in the context of per unit cost) and non perishable.” He further added that there are

440 operating nuclear reactors around the world that are producing 17 percent of the global

electricity. While highlighting the changing trends in the global expansion of nuclear energy

he said, “62 nuclear power reactors are under construction and 155 are planned, almost 341

more nuclear reactors are proposed. There is a global shift and many countries intend to adopt

nuclear energy options.” While referring to Japan’s Fukushima accident, he said that there are

divergent voices in the global energy scenario. Some countries are in favour of nuclear

energy and some countries have resisted; however a larger consensus is in favour of use of

nuclear energy.

Talking about the future nuclear energy plan of Pakistan, he said that Pakistan has an

ambitious plan and it intends to produce over 40,000 Mega Watt from nuclear by the year

2050. The rationale behind this is that there is a growing demand of energy. He emphasised

that access to cheap energy is also vital for the growth of industry, which will ultimately

empower middle class and further lead to the overall growth of the country.

During the session, the journalists raised concerns regarding the ramifications of nuclear

reactors in close proximity to metropolis such as Karachi. While responding to these

concerns, Mr. Banuri referred to the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) that is

an independent body to regulate the safety and security of civilian nuclear materials and

facilities. It works in close collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Commission

(IAEA). He said that PNRA has an exceptional mechanism. Mr. Banuri further said that in

the context of nuclear capability, Pakistan is as specialized as any country in the developed

world. However, no one can rule out the chances of any accident. Consequently, Pakistan has

adopted all requisite measures to avoid accidents and mishaps, and mitigate damage. He

further said that several countries are seeking PNRA’s assistance and guidance in regulating

and protecting their nuclear facilities.

Another question raised during the session was about Pakistan’s future energy plan. While

replying, Mr. Banuri said that due to demographic change and population surge, Pakistan’s

industrial requirement would further grow which will ultimately increase electricity demand

in the country. He said that policy makers should exploit other resources to secure future

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energy needs; for instance along with nuclear and hydro options, Pakistan should also

advance solar and wind energy options to fulfill the future energy requirements of the

country.

Whilst concluding Mr. Banuri said that nuclear politics is the outcome of competing

economic-security interests amongst nations. He said that the West is generally of the view

that it can be best managed, if control rests with fewer countries. Mr. Banuri added that

nuclear world order has to be synchronized with global values, on which the order rests.

Hence, it has to be based on principles rather than political expediencies and commercial

interests of a global power.

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PICTURE GALLERY

Ice Breaking: Dr. Shireen Mazari welcoming participants

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Session II: Nuclear Proliferation: Shift Post 9/11

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Session III: Mr. Khalid Banuri on Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy

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SSII IN PRESS

(Source: http://www.lhrtimes.com/2015/03/19/riuj-hosts-workshop-on-global-strategic-environment-issues-of-

terrorism-and-nuclear-proliferation-pakistans-nuclear-programme-242352/)

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