Nukes for peace

Since its initiation, Pakistan's nuclear programme has continually attracted undue international scrutiny (read stigmatisation). Negative tags like 'Islamic bomb' and 'dirty bomb' etc were purposefully coined, and mischievously associated with Pakistan's nuclear programme. Objective was to malign an otherwise modest and well-intentioned programme. To place the matter in correct perspective, our pursuits in this domain were purely reactive. Pakistan was indeed pushed against the wall to evolve and execute its nuclear programme after India's overt nuclearisation, back in 1974. Likewise, India's explosions in 1998, and ensuing cowboy style antagonising attitude, forced Pakistan to go for an overt demonstration of its matching capability. Hence, by default, Pakistan became an overt nuclear weapon state in 1998. Ever since, a sinister campaign in on to discredit our capability regarding security and safety of nukes.
To meet our compelling security compulsions, Pakistani nation demonstrated remarkable tenacity, resilience and wonderful consensus in the context of nuclear programme. Indian military capability, even sans nukes, has all along been posing a formidable threat for Pakistan. Three wars, dismemberment of the country, occupation of Siachin glacier, foot dragging on Kashmir and other vital issues, recurring violations of Indus Basin Water Treaty and the like, indicate that India wants to carry on with its incremental ambitions. Unfortunately, she has the requisite military capability, especially in the conventional domain, to pose survival dilemma for Pakistan.
India's psyche of rushing in the troops to borders, in aggressive configurations, on one pretext or the other, is a confirmatory indicator in this regard. On some of such occasions, it was really a close call. Furthermore, coining of 'Cold Start War Doctrine' for speedy achievement of strategic gains shows the desperate mindset of Indian military hierarchy.
Although Taliban threat has temporarily stolen the thunder out of the real threat, once this transient trouble is over, the regional equation is likely to be back to square one. It is in this anticipation that a potent lobby with corporate interest to keep Pakistan under perpetual pressure regarding its nuclear programme is working overtime. During the recent years, Dr A Q Khan's issue was blown out of proportion while nuclear material related safety and security issues of other nuclear weapons capable nations are routinely and conveniently swept under the carpet.