A delegation representing The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) met with the Senate Standing Committee on Defence to discuss issues relating to strategic nuclear stability and tactical nuclear weapons.
The meeting was held here at Parliament House on Tuesday. The Senate Standing Committee on Defence was represented by Senator Farhatullah Babar and Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi. The IISS delegation was represented by Brig(R) Ben Barry, Mr. Desmond Brown, Mr. Mark Fitzpatrick, Mr. Jack Gill, Mr Antoine Levesques and Mr. Rahul Roy-Chaudhury.
IISS is a leading authority on international security, political risks and military conflict. It acts independent of any government or political organizations.
Senator Farhatullah Babar said that Pakistan’s nuclear program was reactionary to India’s policies and advised the IISS delegation to examine the political underpinnings of countries that pursue a nuclear program. Senator Lt. Gen. (R) Salahuddin Tirmizi asked the IISS delegation to educate the public opinion on Pakistan’s nuclear program, thus encouraging transparency and an increased role of the civil society.
Mr. Desmond Brown, IISS Member and Former Director General, Ministry of Defence, UK said that the concept of nuclear deterrence changes with time and it is linked with perceptions that are held by the leadership about their capabilities and those of their adversary.
The meeting concluded with both parties agreeing to improve civil-military relations in Pakistan, incorporate a greater level of transparency and initiate dialogue when dealing with issues of the country’s overall nuclear program.