CTBT and its implications

The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), whatsoever its shortcomings, is an important step towards nuclear weapons non-proliferation. The question of signing or not signing the Treaty is of vital importance for Pakistan. Pakistan's policy on this question has been India-specific; we have seldom articulated our genuine security concerns and have taken the line that we would sign the Treaty if India did so. Many in Pakistan consider this policy questionable. They are of the view that if India ever decided to sign the CTBT, it would place us in a rather awkward situation. The Pakistan Nuclear Society had organized two one-day seminars in October 1996 on CTBT with a view to creating awareness among the general public of an issue which is of great relevance to Pakistan's security and survival. Although at that time there was no clear intention of publishing these proceedings but in view of the current importance of the subject of CTBT the Pakistan Nuclear Society has decided to publish them. The views expressed here at the learned speakers may have changed their viewpoints in this period cannot bye totally discounted. In spite of certain shortcomings and the difficulties that were encountered in exact transcription, we believe that this small volume would be informative for the general public as an introduction to an issue which is of vital importance not only for the people of Pakistan but for the whole of human race. The nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan in May 1998 and the international pressure being exerted on both the countries to sign the CTBT had added to the need for wider dissemination of the Treaty's text and the viewpoints of opinion-makers of the both countries on this subject. For the benefit of readers, the full text of CTBT has been given in the Appendix. (author)