Lt Gen (retd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Adviser to the National Command Authority (NCA), reiterated Pakistan’s stance against adopting a No First Use (NFU) policy on nuclear weapons during a seminar at the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) in commemoration of Youm-i-Takbeer, the anniversary of Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests. “Pakistan does not have a No First Use policy, and I’ll repeat that for emphasis. Pakistan does not have a No First Use policy,” he stated. NFU is typically seen as a commitment to using nuclear weapons solely for deterrence, not for initiating conflict.
Traditionally, Pakistan has kept its stance on NFU ambiguous, in contrast to India’s declared NFU policy, which Pakistani strategists often view as rhetorical. India’s NFU doctrine includes exceptions for nuclear strikes under perceived threats, suggesting a potential for pre-emptive use, thereby undermining the principle of NFU.
Recently, India’s nuclear policy has shifted towards a more assertive posture, prompting Pakistan to adopt countermeasures to deter any pre-emptive strikes from India. Gen Kidwai emphasized that Pakistan’s nuclear readiness ensures its leaders can confront India with confidence and resolve.
This statement comes amidst the ongoing Indian elections, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has used Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities to criticize the opposition, portraying them as intimidated by Pakistan. This debate was fueled by comments from Farooq Abdullah and Modi’s references to his 2015 visit to Lahore.
Gen Kidwai also hinted at incorporating emerging technologies to bolster Pakistan’s nuclear programme, ensuring it remains robust and capable within the framework of Full Spectrum Deterrence (FSD) and Credible Minimum Deterrence (CMD). Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal spans land, sea, and air, covering strategic, operational, and tactical levels with ranges up to 2,750km, ensuring comprehensive coverage of India’s geographical dimensions.
He noted that India’s Dynamic Response Strategy (DRS) reflects the constraints imposed by Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities on India’s strategic options. Thus, Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons are seen as “weapons of peace.”
Additionally, Brig (retd) Zahir Kazmi, Director General of the Arms Control and Disarmament Affairs (ACDA) branch of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), highlighted emerging and enduring threats to Pakistan’s nuclear programme, including new technologies, geopolitical shifts, hybrid warfare, India’s risky behavior, sanctions, and information warfare.
