The article titled ‘Control and Disarmament’ is a research article by Dr. SM Shazad, who is a faculty member of the University of Punjab, Lahore. The author provided an analytical perspective on the control of arms in the region under the case study of Pakistan. The author says arms control and disarmament are often perceived as synonymous; however, the latter refers to the reduction or removal of specific types of weapons, while disarmament refers to the complete eradication of weapons.
The basic aim of disarmament is to reduce the risk of war or destructiveness during the war. There are historical examples of disarmament agreements like the Washington Naval Treaty, the Geneva Protocol of 1925 on Chemical Weapons, the London Naval Agreement, the CTBT, the NPT, etc.
Keeping in view the perspectives of India and Pakistan, both states have been involved in never-ending power competition along with China. All these states aim to dominate the region of South Asia. As a result, there is an expensive arms race in the region that further adds to threats of destruction in the region but also undermines investment in humanitarian development.
Moreover, as there is a large deployment of nuclear arms in the region, any miscalculation would not only affect the South Asia region but would rather blow up the world. The author also highlights the importance of the need for talks among the states about the control of arms and disarmament. The success of arms control depends heavily on geography, leadership, diplomacy, and historical background. In the case of India and Pakistan, success can occur if both countries open talks and declare their nuclear capabilities openly.
The author concludes by giving recommendations and emphasizing the anti-missile treaty and bilateral agreements over controlling nuclear weapons, non-deployment of nuclear weapons, and nuclear risk reduction centers between India and Pakistan. According to the author, all the efforts for arms control and disarmament would prove in vain if the Kashmir dispute remained unresolved.
The writer is a student of “BS-IR” at “National Defense University” and a member of PYDIR.