Why Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal Has Proven to Be Counterproductive

[Lurch Adams]

....."without such sanctions for India.................."? Which world are you living in?

Wayne's World...

 

[Indus Pakistan]

One of the most drummed up things in the national media about Pakistan is its nuclear arsenal. A state which by all accounts has failed to deliver even the basic necessities is being widely projected as one of the most important states by the right-wing intelligentsia. However it goes beyond this. The nuclear arsenal has become our sole "credible" claim to glory and consequently the justification for all the conspiracy theories according to which the entire world is wary of us.

This conspiracy theory culture which is outwardly looking, shifts the blame to foreign powers, who are allegedly jealous of Pakistan's nuclear might, and are always trying to purge the country of its "crowning" jewel. Several right wing TV anchors have constructed entire careers on perpetuating this culture of suspicion which is fueled by mythology built around glorification of Islamic fortress, Pakistan.

One of the biggest ironies of the nuclear arsenal, from what I keep hearing, is that it is protecting Pakistan from a US or Indian take over and yet the actual evidence suggests that we are protecting the arsenal. The fact that we have ended up protecting a device which was supposed to protect us is such an irony and yet completely incomprehensible to many Pakistanis who continue to gloat over it.

But why have we come to this stage? Why are we seeking a strange delusional solace in a device which is supposed to kill millions? Why is our entire intellectual thrust on perpetuating a strange culture of suspicion where every barbaric act, even if conducted and fully claimed, by our home grown Frankenstein monster, is construed to be planned by the foreign powers solely to take hold of nuclear arsenal.

The answer lies in the thoroughly bruised identity, particularly the way it has evolved after the debacle of East Pakistan in 1971 and defeat from India. East Pakistan debacle among many other things shattered the myth of superiority of Pakistani army's quality.

Before 1971, even within army circles, a martial race myth had gradually been constructed. According to this myth a Muslim soldier is far superior in quality due to extraordinary valor originating out of faith. The glorification of army was not merely restricted to army as a fighting unit but stretched to include the state of Pakistan as Ayub (Pakistan's first military ruler) era was a military rule. Military rule practically defined state. Ayub's ruke was a far cry from the earlier "chaos" and it also saw active nation building done and supervised by the military. While in power and at the helm of the affairs, the army's image also became the national image.

The debacle of East Pakistan shattered the army's repute as an invincible fighting force and had lasting impact on the collective psyche of Pakistani nation . West Pakistani populace, particularly the middle class felt humiliated and could not believe that their cherished army had been routed. It was a moment of national humiliation. Moreover since at that time no one came to "rescue" Pakistan, and India had actively collaborated with the Bengali nationalists, it gave rise to conspiracy mode of thinking. For majority of the middle class, it was not that East Pakistan has been given unfair treatment, but rather an Indian and global conspiracy to break up Pakistan. To this date, majority of Pakistanis see the problems of Pakistan particularly relating to security through this conspiracy paradigm.

Pakistan's first democratically elected Prime Minister, Zulifiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) after taking power immediately started taking steps to curtail army's political role. Among these steps was forcible removal of the existing army chief, promotion of apparently "weak' officers like general Zia and creation of Federal Security Force (FSF), which was a parallel security force.

However, the 1974 nuclear test by India once again reopened the wounds of the 1971 humiliation and warranted some kind of response to settle 'scores' with India. It was under these circumstances that ZAB decided to embark upon the nuclear program. Being extremely intelligent ZAB understood that renewed threat from India would once again restore the army's position and importance. Hence the best bet was to actually match India and become a nuclear power. In this way, the army in its conventional role would not be required to that extent and consequently in the long run its political power would diminish as well. Thus the reason for becoming the nuclear power was in some ways an extension of the desire to curtail army's political ambitions. Plus the nuclear arsenal would soothe the bruised identity.

However, the reality unfortunately has not conformed to the wishes of the initiator of the nuclear program. Although the nuclear arsenal has proven to be apparently successful in soothing the bruised identity of Pakistani middle class, but the cost has been tremendous.

Nuclear arsenal has successfully soothed the bruised identity as it has apparently "settled" scores with India and given some importance to Pakistan in the international arena which it desperately needed. With the passage of time, as the failed state label becomes more justified the nuclear arsenal keeps on getting elevated in terms of our "success". Unfortunately the more Pakistan lags behind in economic and social indicators, more obsessive we become about nuclear arsenal and try to seek compensatory comfort in it.

Whether we admit it or not, Pakistan ranks low in important social indicators pertaining to transparency, literacy, economy and healthcare even when compared to developing economies of similar characteristics. In Human Development Index, Pakistan stands at 146th and below even countries will lesser per capita income such as Bhutan, Nepal and Namibia . According to Gender Gap report, Pakistan ranks 141 out of 142 "beating" only Yemen. In Freedom of Press Index, Pakistan ranks 158 out of 180 , in Religious Restriction Index Pakistan is ranked as the worst and in Fragile State Index Pakistan ranks 13th in the category of "High Alert" countries which includes Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.

Nuclear arsenal thus becomes the only "achievement" and therefore talked to death in our right wing circles. At times it becomes actually embarrassing that we are not able to provide basic things like education and electricity and yet assume ourselves to be the center of the world due to our nuclear status. Even when given the chance to have more aid and reduction of foreign debt in exchange for not conducting the tests in 1998, we unanimously opted for going nuclear. The irony was that within one month's time, we as a nation proved how hollow we were, when instead of showing mettle and inner strength to face sanctions, we were busy betting on the devaluation of rupee!

In addition this "achievement" has made us deeply paranoid about the rest of the world and with terrifying consequences. As Pakistan falls deeply into insecurity and terrorism, instead of correctly identifying the causes, the nuclear obsession leads us to believe that everything is a grand conspiracy to take hold of the nuclear arsenal.

Moreover, the nuclear status has not provided protection to Pakistan and rather it has exposed it to needless international scrutiny. Pakistan's security problems are no longer emanating from India but are rather homegrown and ironically are in some ways an outcome of the nuclear status itself. The nuclear status actually enabled the deep state to train militant elements without fearing a full scale war.

In addition, contrary to ZAB's original aim of weakening the army, the nuclear arsenal has actually strengthened it. Once army took over, the nuclear program actually became its shield to undertake covert activities in the neighboring countries. In fact, army and nuclear "image' have intertwined and army has successfully positioned itself as the guardian of the nuclear program.

Right now the ultranationalist section of the population has to redirect its concerns and energies to real issues rather than on this nuclear paranoia. Frankly the nuclear arsenal has proven to be one of our greatest drawbacks and has ended up creating more problems for us.

Why Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal Has Proven to Be Counterproductive | Raza Habib Raja

The biggest proof that Pakistan is a failed state? Is to be found in Pakistan being compared to India for example below. Enough said.

Indian poverty levels higher than Pakistan's, says UN report - Telegraph

 

[Yoddha]

That Indians seem butthurt enough to open multiple threads on Pak nukes and chant "Pakistani nukes are useless while ours are enough to scare of the P5 even!!" (even though their yields and stockpiles are more or less same) every alternate post in these threads speks otherwise seems to speak otherwise.

Why don't you correct your flag first?....

 

[Abotani]

Why don't you correct your flag first?....

For that India will have to leave NE.

 

[Yoddha]

Before 1971, even within army circles, a martial race myth had gradually been constructed. According to this myth a Muslim soldier is far superior in quality due to extraordinary valor originating out of faith.

This is NOT a myth ! A true Muslim soldier who is defending his faith , his people , and his country against an enemy is never concerned about the quality or quantity of the enemy forces. This has been proven during the 1965 & 1971 wars against India and also the Pakistani supported Jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan and current Afghan Jihad against NATO occupiers . Although Pakistan seem to have lost the 1971 war and its Eastern wing but it was a defeat due to moral and political debacle of the Pak top military and political leadership of that time. Our ground soldiers fought even more valiantly in East Pakistan then 1965 and recorded unimaginable stories of bravery , even though they have to fight a bigger size enemy from the front and traitors from the back. In the air Pakistan achieved 3:1 victory ratio over India , a fact documented in the autobiography of famous American pilot Chuck Yeager who was present in Pakistan during 1971. Even during the 1999 Kargil conflict which the Indian s wrongly claim as a victory , they lost more soldiers then Pakistanis and even didn't have enough coffins for their dead bodies. Better check the 'coffin scandal ' in which some higher Indian officials were involved in that period.

Indians always has advantage of cunning diplomacy and also able to take advantage from Western powers like USA, Russia, Israel, and Europe as Pakistan being a country which came into being in the name of Islam , the true religion and now since this country is also sole Islamic Nuclear state , is unacceptable to Zionists, Crusaders, and all those evil powers who are against God and they always make sure to take side of India ! Pakistan has to fight for its survival from day one against all odds. Being Nuclear is only to ensure our safety against enemies who cant see us live at all , let alone prosper.

God has created Pakistan and has been sustaining it and Insha Allah will save it as well !

Few comments:
1. Regarding Kargil, does your dead count figured also include Mujahideen's fighting alongside your Northern Light Infantary, or just regular army? Besides, have you factored in the advantage of sitting tightly in bunkers at hill tops vs fighting your way upwards at 12-14K avg height, with no cover?
2. USA and whole west was your friend all all these past decades till late 90s. Why couln't you made use of it to your advantage. Answer is because your leaders lacked in vision and were far short sighted.
3. Stop blaming others for your misries and look back at the the policies and decisions of your leaders. What has been done for upliftment of society, education healthcare...nothing. The common people have been kept delusioned since begining and emothinally exploited by elites so that they remain in business.All this harping on nuclear state, martial race, religion, jehad is part of the game plan.

 

[Thorough Pro]

This writer is so full of his own shit..........and the article if it can be called that stinks so much with his utter dumbness that i didn't bothered to read beyond the first few lines according to which we should not protect our nuclear weapons. Can this dumbass give us an example of a nuclear state does not protect its nuclear weapons? like in india they put their nuclear weapons in children's parks? So according to this dickhead houses are supposed to protect occupants from elements and criminals thus we should not protect the house by putting doors and windows on it.

now about the title, does this moron even know the meaning of "counterproductive"? so what's the proof of them being counterproductive?

@mods posting such shitty articles on the forum is just like trolling, these days anyone with access to computer and internet can write anything, anywhere and that does not qualify it to be posted on this forum.

Why Pakistan's Nuclear Arsenal Has Proven to Be Counterproductive | Raza Habib Raja

 

[haviZsultan]

Y E S.

In 74 I remember some weak comments and no real efforts to disarm or denuclearize India. Thats when you got nukes. Yet in 98 Indian and Pakistan both were sanctioned while sanctions on India were removed later. We suffered a great deal of western biases.

 

[bananarepublic]

EVERY ONE KNOWS that using nukes is madness !! and if you use it means that the whole world is gonna be againts you. THE NUKES are just for show
using it means ur own destruction and Pakistan is not that crazy

 

[fitpOsitive]

Let me paraphrase. The no of scenarios/situations in which pak said they will "defend" their borders with nukes is large. Pak actually under estimates it's conventional prowess every time it says it would defend it's borders with nukes.

true. but what to do when people dont understand? I think hitting ones head in wall will do good for calming nerves.

 

[Bossman]

For God sake the article is written by student, why is it getting so much traction.

 

[Jacob Martin]

Before 1971, even within army circles, a martial race myth had gradually been constructed. According to this myth a Muslim soldier is far superior in quality due to extraordinary valor originating out of faith.

This is NOT a myth ! A true Muslim soldier who is defending his faith , his people , and his country against an enemy is never concerned about the quality or quantity of the enemy forces. This has been proven during the 1965 & 1971 wars against India and also the Pakistani supported Jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan and current Afghan Jihad against NATO occupiers . Although Pakistan seem to have lost the 1971 war and its Eastern wing but it was a defeat due to moral and political debacle of the Pak top military and political leadership of that time. Our ground soldiers fought even more valiantly in East Pakistan then 1965 and recorded unimaginable stories of bravery , even though they have to fight a bigger size enemy from the front and traitors from the back. In the air Pakistan achieved 3:1 victory ratio over India , a fact documented in the autobiography of famous American pilot Chuck Yeager who was present in Pakistan during 1971. Even during the 1999 Kargil conflict which the Indian s wrongly claim as a victory , they lost more soldiers then Pakistanis and even didn't have enough coffins for their dead bodies. Better check the 'coffin scandal ' in which some higher Indian officials were involved in that period.

Indians always has advantage of cunning diplomacy and also able to take advantage from Western powers like USA, Russia, Israel, and Europe as Pakistan being a country which came into being in the name of Islam , the true religion and now since this country is also sole Islamic Nuclear state , is unacceptable to Zionists, Crusaders, and all those evil powers who are against God and they always make sure to take side of India ! Pakistan has to fight for its survival from day one against all odds. Being Nuclear is only to ensure our safety against enemies who cant see us live at all , let alone prosper.

God has created Pakistan and has been sustaining it and Insha Allah will save it as well !

Martial theory is correct, much much brave, xyz, blah blah blah, Indians ran out of coffins, better check the coffin scandal. Had forgotten the coffin scandal actually. This bogey hasn't been raised in response to Pakistan's loss in Kargil for a while now.

 

[Joe Shearer]

In 74 I remember some weak comments and no real efforts to disarm or denuclearize India. Thats when you got nukes. Yet in 98 Indian and Pakistan both were sanctioned while sanctions on India were removed later. We suffered a great deal of western biases.

You should really look at the situation as it was, not as people imagine it might have been.

In 1974, the explosion was achieved using means that had nothing to do with a militarily usable device. There was an explosion, there was no bomb.

There was no western bias, merely a relieved western understanding that the whole thing was grandstanding against the Chinese (the possibility of their intervening was only three years in the past) and that there was no practical military threat.

 

[Joe Shearer]

Another piece of crap from another liberal fool. I answered this joker on twitter. Pakistan nuclear arsenal is the reason we managed to avoid war in 2002 and 2008, our nuclear arsenal is the reason we manage to survive and India avoids to do any misadventures.

I'm sorry, ordinarily I wouldn't have written a response, but there are some funny parts in the post above,

Why exactly was there a war-like situation in 2002 - the events in February or the events in May, perhaps the ones in September - and in 2008 ? And do you think that a nuclear arsenal justifies the actions of Pakistan of those years that created a war-like situation? Do you think that Indian responses to whatever Pakistan had done were irrational, 'misadventures'?

I am very curious to know what you think (not what you claim to think).

 

[Oracle 33]

Nukes can't make u safer from terrorism and reduce poverty but they can ensure you won't get invaded like Iraq or Libya.

 

[Joe Shearer]

This is SO right.... . anything else? Now the author will actually get a job in the Indian media because he's "proven" to be a Pakistani hater, so the BJP's influenced Indian media would actually offer him a job??

Things that one has to do to get a journalism related job in India when you are from a minority. You have to "COOK" stuff up against Pakistan or Indian minorities so the Hindu elites can give you a mercy job!

Two US flags are better than one, I suppose. Except in Pakistan proper. So displaying two US flags on PakDef must mean something.

Interesting English, too, from an American American. Maybe the correct way of looking at it is that it is American, not English