report on the one day media workshop...
TRANSCRIPT
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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......................................................................................................Page 20
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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
2:45 p.m. Discussion
3:30 p.m. Break
Session III
3:40 p.m. Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy – DG ACDA Strategic Plans Division,
Khalid Banuri
4:20 p.m. Discussion
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
0333-9055104 [email protected]
20 Ishtiaq Gondal Roze TV 0336-0005570 [email protected]
21 Yasir Baloch USH News Tv 0321-5100659 [email protected]
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22 Muhammad Tayyab Holiday Times/PBC 0313-8025313 [email protected]
23 Raza Abid Mustafa Chief Reporter Roze
Tv
0300-4394627 [email protected]
24 Shakir Abbasi Daily Naibaat/A
Lite News
0301-5383438 [email protected]
25 Ahmed Raza Nawai Waqat 0300-6947779
26 Imran Khan Daily Voice of
Pakistan
0333-9222065 [email protected]
27 Dost M Khan Dawn News (Gujar
Khan)
0300-5107212 [email protected]
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/)