Pakistan’s Global Security Efforts

Noorulain Shaikh

In a recent development, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted four resolutions proposed by Pakistan. As a part of its mission to the United Nations, Pakistan proposed these resolutions with the intent of strengthening global security measures and discouraging nuclear arms. The resolutions subsequently produced were “Regional Disarmament,” “Confidence-building Measures in the Regional and Sub-regional Context,” “Conve­ntional Arms Control at Regional and Sub-regional Levels,” and
“Conclusion of Effective International Arrangements to Assure Non-Nuclear-Weapon States Against the Use or Threat of Use of Nuclear Weapons.” All 193 nations adopted the first two resolutions that underlined the importance of cordial and trustworthy foreign relations among nations to ensure a certain level of cooperation in times of conflict. Pakistan also gained the confidence of 184 countries on the third resolution, except India, which voted against it. The final resolution faced some resistance but eventually received the support of 123 nations.

What is exceptionally important is Pakistan’s emphasis on regional military conflicts in South Asia amidst the session. Comprising Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Maldives, the South Asian region is a heterogeneous blend of nations, cultures, values, religions, and governance methods. However, the overpowering problem faced by the region is its military and border-centric conflicts. The age-old issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan is the most infamous of all the South Asian military conflicts. The contention over Kashmir has enabled four wars between India and Pakistan. As a result, the trade between both countries is marginal at best. While no war has broken out between both nations in a long time, border skirmishes keep happening, with the most recent clash in 2022 at the Actual Line of Control at Arunachal Pradesh.

Another South Asian-specific armed conflict that makes headlines around the globe is the cross-border militant movements between Pakistan and Afghanistan. In addition, clashes between the border forces of the two countries also took place at the Chaman border recently. India also manages to be the center of most South-Asian disputes, including the Aksai Chin, South Tibet, and Arunachal Pradesh disputes with China, the Indus Water Treaty dispute with Pakistan, border issues with Bangladesh, and boundary disputes with Nepal, among many others. The South Asian region is in deep waters in terms of regional peace.

As a sovereign nation bearing nuclear responsibilities, Pakistan has been consistent in highlighting the importance of conflict resolution through non-military methods. In 1998, after it became a nuclear power, allegedly in response to India’s nuclear status, Pakistan stressed establishing a mechanism to maintain regional stability in South Asia in the form of a Strategic Restraint Regime (SSR). It is a party to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Pakistan, however, is not a signatory of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which stipulates a ban on all kinds of nuclear explosions regardless of their purpose, given India’s refusal to sign it. Nonetheless, it continues to support its vision. It has actively advocated for disarmament and proliferation and the need for discourse regarding the evolution of technology and its misuse to develop nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction. The general view of the Pakistani state is that countries should not sabotage their defense needs. However, when global security interests are at stake, countries should act appropriately to secure them.

In addition, Pakistan is among the 125 countries assuming a role as UN Peacekeepers, including India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. UN Peacekeeping is a mission to help countries navigate conflicts and transition to peace. As of present, Pakistan has sent more than 200,000 peacekeepers to different countries that are in military conflicts. These countries include the African Union, the Democratic Republic of Congo, West New Guinea, Cambodia, Somalia, Haiti, East Timor, Sierra Leone, Burundi, and the Central African Republic. In fulfilling its pledge to the United Nations, it has lost 157 of its valuable peacekeepers. However, more than 4000 troops continue to operate in different regions presently.

In today’s technology-driven age, it has become increasingly important for states to consider global security interests when developing weapons under the context of defense needs. With the evolution of nuclear warfare, the influx of WMDs and biological and conventional arms is deteriorating international security. Keeping the same in mind, Pakistan maintains a positive global stance.

The writer is a law student at University of London.