Remarks in April 2015 by Saudi Religious Affairs Minister 'Abd Al-'Aziz Al-'Ammar regarding Pakistan's nuclear weapons led to a debate in the Pakistani press on the issue. Al-'Ammar, whose statement in the Pakistani Urdu media was translated into English by MEMRI, said, "Pakistan's atom [bomb] is not of Pakistan alone but is of the world of Islam. The entire world of Islam is proud of it."[1]
In a recent article, the Urdu-language Pakistani daily Roznama Jasarat argued that Saudi Arabia should indeed acquire nuclear technology. The article, titled "Atomic Technology Is Saudi Arabia's Right," by Abdul Sattar Khan, argued that if the U.S. could permit Tehran to expand its nuclear program by signing a nuclear pact with it, then Saudi Arabia also has a right to acquire nuclear weapons, in order to maintain a balance of power in the Middle East.
Roznama Jasarat is a widely circulated right-wing daily and is considered a mouthpiece of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. Following are excerpts from Abdul Sattar Khan's article:[2]
The article in Roznama Jasarat
"The Fact That Pakistan's Nuclear Technology Would Not Have Been Possible Without The Cooperation Of The Saudi Brothers Is Not Concealed From Anyone"
"Last week, the international media discussed the fact that Saudi Arabia is trying to acquire nuclear weapons. Instead of saying it in a roundabout manner, it would be better if it was stated clearly that Saudi Arabia desires to acquire ready-to-use nuclear weapons from Pakistan. Analysts had said this when Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Prince Muhammad bin Salman had visited Pakistan. It was even claimed that Pakistan has agreed to give nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia.
"There is no doubt that Saudi Arabia is not only a peaceful country itself, but that it also works towards international peace, security, and stability. It has not only adopted a principled stand of clearing the region of destructive weapons, but has also signed international treaties to keep the world safe from nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
"After the emergence of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the nuclear club has apparently been limited to only a few countries. Apart from the five permanent members of the [UN] Security Council, Pakistan, India, North Korea and Israel are included [in this club]. This is the formal list. However, the informal list lists 35 countries as possessing nuclear weapons.
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"[Saudi] Deputy Crown Prince and Defense Minister Prince Muhammad bin Salman's Islamabad visit was viewed with surprise, though it was not the first such visit by a high-ranking, responsible Saudi official. This is because relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are not just based on traditional friendship but take place because both countries share common values and also common interests. The military and defense cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is a natural outcome of this.
"The fact that Pakistan's nuclear technology would not have been possible without the cooperation of the Saudi brothers is not concealed from anyone. It is also no longer a secret that [the Saudi] cooperation was not only financial but also strategic in nature. Therefore, it is not surprising when a high-ranking Saudi delegation visits Islamabad; rather it should be surprising and worrying when no high-ranking Saudi delegation visits Islamabad."
"Saudi Arabia And Gulf Countries Have A Right To... Acquire Nuclear Technology For Their Security And To Maintain Balance Of Power In The Region Against Iran's Nuclear Program"
"Now the question arises: Is Saudi Arabia really trying to acquire nuclear weapons? Though there is no official response about it yet, positive or negative, what needs to be thought about is: Why can't Saudi Arabia acquire nuclear weapons? The Western media's claim that Pakistan has agreed to hand over ready-made nuclear weapons to Saudi Arabia has no leg to stand on. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are countries that abide by international treaties. On the basis of the agreements Pakistan has signed, it cannot sell or transfer nuclear technology to another country.
"Similarly, Saudi Arabia has signed treaties that prohibit it from acquiring nuclear technology for military purposes. When America can permit Iran to expand its nuclear program by signing an agreement with it, albeit on a limited scale, then, to maintain a balance in the region, how is it that Saudi Arabia has no right to acquire nuclear weapons for its security - like Pakistan acquired nuclear weapons in response to India's to maintain the balance of power in the region [of South Asia]? Politically and ideologically, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries have a right to try to acquire nuclear technology for their security and to maintain a balance of power in the region against Iran's nuclear program. This fact is not hidden from anybody.
"In fact, after the increase in [Iran's] influence in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon, it has become clearer that the possible targets of Iran's nuclear program are the Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia. Iran is a persistent threat for the Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia. [Iran's] atomic program is in the development stage, but when it matures it will not be just a defensive weapon. However, Saudi Arabia has signed defense pacts with America and Pakistan. And Pakistan has repeatedly expressed the view that if Saudi Arabia's integrity is threatened, it would not remain silent..."
"Saudi Arabia Is Caught In Conflict-Ridden Regions; To Make It Safe And Secure From A Possible Rage For Atomic War, It Should Acquire Nuclear Technology Forthwith"
"For this, the balance of power needs to be maintained in the region against Iran's nuclear program. Saudi Arabia is not only the guardian country of Haramain Sharifain [the Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina]; its land also meets the oil needs of the whole world. Hundreds of thousands of Muslim arrive here annually for pilgrimage. It not only leads the ummah, but is also the center of attention for the Muslims of the whole world. Is this reason not enough that Saudi Arabia should acquire nuclear technology to protect its interests and build a bulwark against Iran's expansionist designs?
"Saudi Arabia is caught in conflict-ridden regions. To make it safe and secure from a possible rage for atomic war, it should acquire nuclear technology forthwith. Saudi Arabia has the world's latest weapons of war, which were tested in the Decisive Storm operation [in Yemen].
"Basically, Saudi Arabia promotes freeing the whole world of weapons of mass destruction - but if the region's balance of power goes wrong, it can change its principled stance. Today's world understands only the language of power. Saudi Arabia, because of its spiritual and economic power, is the world's most influential country. By acquiring nuclear weapons to maintain a balance of power in the region, it will enhance its dignity.
"Wisdom demands that powerful friends be trusted. But complete reliance on friends [such as America] is not very wise. In the world of interests, standards of enmity and friendship are not static. The one with power can not only explain its point of view, but is able to get its view accepted. If Saudi Arabia is trying to acquire nuclear weapons, it needs to be understood that this is not in its nature, but that circumstances are forcing it to do so..."
[1] See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 6066, Saudi Deputy Minister Of Religious Affairs: 'Pakistan's Atomic Bomb Belongs To The World Of Islam'; Yemen's Houthi Rebels And Their Patrons Dream Of Occupying Mecca And Medina, June 5, 2015.
[2] Roznama Jasarat (Pakistan), June 4, 2015.
