Opinion Spectre of Pakistani Nukes

Every right thinking person desires a stable Pakistan which is vital for its own security and security of the region.

Soli J. Sorabjee

September 25, 2011 03:38 AM IST First published on: Sep 25, 2011 at 03:38 AM IST

Spectre of Pakistani Nukes

Every right thinking person desires a stable Pakistan which is vital for its own security and security of the region. Today,Pakistan appears to be on the verge of collapse and what is most worrisome is its likely loss of control of its nuclear weapons. Pakistan asserts that its nuclear arsenal is well protected and strict measures are in place to prevent any nuclear weapons falling in outside hands,especially the Taliban. The vexed question is: Who will guard the guardians of Pakistans nukes? The attack on the Mehran naval station in Karachi coupled with statements by Pakistan authorities that there has been infiltration into its ranks by Islamist jihadis and the audacious claim of the Taliban that they will take over Pakistans nuclear arsenal underscore the urgency of preventive steps. At one time,we were informed that there is a plan to snatch and grab Pak nukes to prevent their falling into Taliban hands.

An expert panel co-sponsored by the Council on Foreign Relations and Aspen Institute India has been constituted,headed by former US Ambassador Robert Blackwill and former Indian Ambassador Naresh Chandra. The panel has recommended holding classified exchanges on multiple Pakistan contingencies,including Pakistan militarys loss of control of its nukes. After the assassination of Burhanuddin Rabbani,the former President of Afghanistan for which the Taliban has claimed full responsibility,it is clear that the barbarians are perilously at the gate. There must be effective contingency plans in place to counter the real spectre of Pakistan losing control of its nuclear weapons. The matter cannot brook delay. The survival not only of the region but of humanity is at stake.

Forensic Fireworks

There is never a dull moment in Incredible India. On the political scene,there are dharnas,strikes and indefinite fasts. The air is rent with shrill cries for resignations and rolling of heads of some minister or the other. Today in the frying pan is our Home Minister,P. Chidambaram,a person of known integrity and outstanding ability. It must be remembered that an error of judgment or an erroneous course of action per se does not establish criminality. In our Supreme Court,there are vociferous arguments regarding the Courts power to direct the CBI to investigate Chidambarams role in the 2G scam based on a note from the Finance Ministry produced by Dr Subramanian Swamy,who incidentally would make a resourceful lawyer. The CBI after initially questioning the Courts power to issue such a direction seems to have conceded the Courts continued monitoring of the 2G scam by pointing out that investigations relating to bank transactions,Loop Telecom deal and Marans role in spectrum allocation were still on. Senior counsel PP Rao appearing for the Union of India,however took a contrary stand and vigorously opposed further monitoring by the court after filing of the charge sheet. He solemnly cautioned the court not to cross the lakshman rekha. At this juncture,Justice AK Ganguly,a member of the Bench comprising Justice GS Singhvi and himself,quipped: If Sita did not cross lakshman rekha,the demon Ravana would not be killed. So lakshman rekha is not sacrosanct. There is no legal answer to Justice Gangulys observation and none will be found in any Supreme Court judgment. Mahabharata may provide an answer.

Animals & Language

Animals have crept quite a bit into human language. Different attributes are ascribed to different animals. For example,jealous as a cat or the cat is out of the bag. A dog is regarded as a patient uncomplaining soul because every dog has his day. Horse,a noble steed,is associated with horse trading which is the usual expedient to engineer political defections. Then you have the expression he is a dark horse which is suggestive of lack of candour and implies some element of secrecy. Donkey is used pejoratively to convey lack of intelligence and stubbornness. But donkey also had his sweet hour when Christ sat on him to enter Jerusalem and there was a shout about my ears,and palms before my feet.