2012 Conference on Disarmament Pakistan’s Approach towards FMCT

Abstract

[While Conference on Disarmament (CD) has remained in a kind of deadlock over the years, any breakthrough during the 2012 session is also unlikely, owing to grave differences between the members – including on the agenda and work program. Important agenda items such as Disarmament and Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) are getting lesser attention while issues such as Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) are highlighted as blocking the progress of CD. It is being concluded that Pakistan is the only state, which could obstruct the 2012 CD Agenda, particularly FMCT, while the reports of international institutions including UNSG reveal that it is not the case. Pakistan’s principled stance on FMCT is essential for its national security interests, as the country needs fissile materials for both its conventional and unconventional deterrence. The stance should be upheld and compromising it due to international pressures is not advisable. – Eds.]