Letter to the editor of International New York Times

Re “Nuclear Fears in South Asia” (editorial, April 6): I was perplexed by the manner in which the editorial focused on Pakistan after the nuclear deal with Iran.

Unfortunately, the editorial painted Pakistan as a country that is recklessly building its nuclear arsenal. But Pakistan was not the first to introduce nuclear weapons in South Asia; India did. Pakistan had to develop nuclear capability purely for self-defense. Regrettably, the editorial conveniently avoided referring to India’s aggressive military posturing and its expanding nuclear and missile capabilities. Giving a special waiver for nuclear trade to India was detrimental to strategic stability in South Asia.

Pakistan has no desire to engage in a conventional or nuclear arms race. Pakistan has consistently called for a dialogue with India to address all issues of mutual concern, including terrorism. Pakistan’s proposal to India of a strategic restraint regime has remained on the table since 1999 without a positive response. In this context, finger-pointing exclusively at Pakistan while ignoring India’s actions was quite baffling.

I ask that you support Pakistan’s overtures for peace and its consistent calls for dialogue with India. Such an approach would be nondiscriminatory and has a better chance of yielding dividends of peace and stability in South Asia.

NADEEM HOTIANA
Press Attaché

April 16, 2015
Washington D.C