First strike

According to media reports, Foreign Secretary Aziz Chaudhry has said that Pakistan may use nuclear weapons first in a future war with India. How does this scenario play out with small (tactical) nuclear weapons?

Our tactical nuclear weapons are meant to counter India’s large conventional army. It essentially means Pakistan is ready to use them on its own soil and nuke its own people should a need arise. This means Pakistan will not hesitate in using them against say a regiment of Indian tanks that crosses the Wagah Border and enter into Lahore. This strategy is flabbergasted. We should avoid resorting to nuclear warfare. We need to cut back – not continue to increase – nuclear weapons.

Unzila Tahir Huda

Karachi