Javed Iqbal
May 28thalso named Youm-e-Takbeerwas the momentous day anda turning point in the history of South Asia. On this day in 1998, Pakistan conducted its first successfulseries of hot nuclear tests in Chagai district of Baluchistan. This game-changing action pavedthe way to enact balance of power in the region.Following suit, shortly after India’s nuclear tests, Pakistanconducted its own series of tests thus deterring potential aggression and maintaining a level of strategic stability between the neighbors. As we celebrate this day, we should also rethink about its impact on the power parity at the regional level as well as the issue of peace and security in South Asia. Pakistan’s nuclear tests were a direct reply to India’s nuclear tests conducted on 11thand13th of May in the same year. Nuclearization of Pakistan was dictated by the necessity to preserve its security and independence as asovereign nation against a perceived and proven existential threatin the form of India. The historical memory of the past conflicts, in particular the wars of 1947, 1965, and 1971, weighed heavily on Pakistan’s strategic thinking. The breaking away of East Pakistan in 1971 highlighted the need for a strong deterrent to avert future military interventionsby itsregional adversary. Pakistan’s overt nuclear capability was directed at a dual goal: neutralizing the strategic edge of India and obtaining an evident deterrent. This action had two-fold meaning: onone hand, it was about the fact that India’s military power should have a worthy opponent to meet any potential aggression, while on the other, about the peacekeeping through the balance of power(acrediblenucleardeterrent). The Chagai tests were a message to the world: Pakistan cannot be pressured or sidelined and Pakistanis part of the regional power structure. The perfect nuclear competitors had pivotal effects to Southeast Asia’s security system. As these nations experimented, they introduced a new kind of deterrence into the region. The bilateral strategic doctrine of ‘Mutually Assured Destruction’ used in the protracted Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, also applied in South Asia. The fear of any missile blow which would result in perishing back proved an incredible dissuading reason for full-scale war between India and Pakistan. Firstly, the convergence of South Asia with nuclearization caused a change in the military thinking and strategy. In addition to the creation of command-and-control measures for safe and secure management of the nuclear arsenals of both countries, the development of such systems became crucial as well. Consequently, separate protocols were developed to stop situation of accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons. Despite occasional escalations and border skirmishes, the presence of nuclear weapons has arguably contributed to a precarious but enduring peace between the two nations.One of the major complications is the security and safety of the nuclear weapons. It entails not only physical security issues but also developing cutting-edge computer systems capable of identifying and preventing any unauthorized intrusion. Pakistan has demonstrated notable progress in this domain by cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is employing top standards in the protection of its nuclear resources. Another challenge is a balance between military spending and socio-economic growth. While dedicating to a credible nuclear deterrence is necessary, the support of the population is equally important. Education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development are the key components of national strength. A highly educated and financially secure population is the pillar upon which the national security is built. The nuclear tests of May 28, 1998, may have brought power parity to South Asia for the time being, but our ultimate objective should be the achievement of a permanent peace and stability in the region. This calls for unceasing dialogue and some confidence building between India and Pakistan. Both parties should seek to resolve their discrepancies in the diplomatic way and maintain a culture of mutual understanding and cooperation among them. Youm-e-Takbeer is a day that evokes a complex array of emotions – pride in scientific achievement, solemnity in the face of immense responsibility, and hope for a peaceful future. The nuclear tests of May 28, 1998, established a crucial balance of power in South Asia, but they also underscored the need for responsible stewardship of nuclear capabilities. As we reflect on this day, let us reaffirm our commitment to peace, stability, and the socio-economic development of our nation, ensuring that our strength is matched by our wisdom and foresight. What shall be the future of Pakistan? The Pakistanis could put the spirit of Youm-e-Takbeer into convergence with other areas of interest as well. The scientific accomplishments that had placed the nuclear deterrence capability at the center stage of national attention must compel us to foster a larger sense of scientific zeal and technological advancement. Via the allocation of budget and investment to research and development, renewable energy, and sustainable habits, Pakistan fulfils the desire to represent a luminous dream, which will be handed to the generations of tomorrow. In the end, the day of Youm-e-Takbeer is a unique event in the history of Pakistan that generatedpride, solemnity, and a consciousness of the responsibility that a nuclear weapon should accompany. It is also a sign of Pakistan’s prioritized national interest that the nation is ready to go to any length to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in the country.
The author is pursuing M.Phil. Strategic Studies from National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad. He can be reached at [email protected]