CTBT is one of the most ambitious international treaties after the UN Charter and the NPT. International lawyers who are familiar in routine with the International multi-lateral Treaties, their format and their structuring can truly appreciate the extraordinary all encompassing nature of this Treaty. Its outstanding feature is the universal consensus accorded to it, which very few Treaties have ever enjoyed. It is a high point in the development of International Law to see that states have voluntarily allowed an international organization (CTBT) to make in roads in their domestic affairs and with uniform willingness. The commitment of the world is surprisingly firm, which is evident from a very little time period in which the text has been finalized. Indeed it is being the political will of both the powerful and less powerful states to achieve it. But in doing so, they together have produced a legal text which has gone beyond the estimates of even the most progressive International lawyers.
At present, the nuclear debate in South Asia is hovering around the signing of the CTBT. The debate seems to be divided between the hawks and the doves. The Former are against the signing of the CTBT, believing it to be a tool of Western diplomacy while the latter are in favor of signing the Treaty. They argue from the viewpoint of human security and the fact that the development needs of the people should be accorded top priority. It is argued here that a comprehensive view of the positive and negative fall out of this debate can be easily assessed if the economic aspect is taken into account. Then only can we derive an answer to the larger questions of whether 'military' security or 'economic' security should take priority in the South Asian context.
Since India and Pakistan have already denounced further tests it will enhance their standing in the world if they were to sign the CTBT. This will go a long way in reducing the present tension. It is rather unfortunate that even if all the listed states sign and ratify the CTBT, so long as nuclear deterrence is the reigning security paradigm, nuclear testing will continue in some form or another. whatever minor changes have taken place in the security paradigm of the world in post-cold war era, nuclear weapon powers have the effect of reinforcing their increased reliance on nuclear weapons, especially in the context of stopping nuclear proliferation.
Moonis Ahmar is working as an Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations. University of Karachi, Pakistan. He specializes in conflict resolution and confidence-building measures with reference to Central Asia. South Asia and the Middle East. He is the author of two books Superpower Rivairy in The Indian Ocean Since the Withdrawal of Great Britain (Karachi: Area Study Center for Europe, University of Karachi, 1986) and The Soviet Role in South Asia 1969-1987. (Karachi: Area Study Center for Europe, University of Karachi, 1989) three monographs on, Confidence Building Measures in South Asia (Geneva: Graduate Institute of International Studies, 1991) Indo-Pak Normalization Process: The Role of CBMs in Post Cold War Era (Urbana: Arms Control Program, University of Illinois, 1993) The Road to Peace in South Asia: Lessons for India and Pakistan from the Arab-Israeli Peace Process (Urbana: Arms Control Program: University of Illinois, 1996) and several research articles published in journals of internaitonal repute. He has edited the books entitled Contemporary Central Asia (Department of International Relations, University of Karachi and Hanns Seidal Foundation, 1995) and Internal and External Dynamics of South Asian Security (Karachi: Fazleesons, 1998). He has published his writings in Asian Survey, (Berkely) BIISS Journal, (Dhaka) Contemporary South Asia, (Oxford) Cenral Asia, (Peshawar) Eurasia Studies, (Ankara) Journal of European Studies, (Karachi) Jurnal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, (Vilanova) NDC Journal, (Islamabad) National Development and Security (Rawalpindi) Pakistan Perspectives, (Karachi) Pakistan Horizon, (Karachi) Pakistant Journal of American Studies, (Islamabad) Peace Initiatives, (Bombay) South Asian Studies, (Lahore) Strategic Studies (Islamabad) and World Affairs (New Delhi).
Presently he is doing research on "Communication linkage between Central and South Asia: Economic, Political. Security and Strategic Implications." He is also the Project Director of Ford Foundation/International Relations Department Research Project. "Peace by proces: Lessons for India and Pakistan from the Middle East", and has recently received a grant from the United States Institute of Peace, Washington, DC to study the role and relevance of Confidence-Building Measures in Post-nuclear South Asia. Dr. Ahmar Has organized several national and international seminars and workshops. Dr. Ahmar received his Ph.D. and M.Phil degrees from the University of Karachi and obtained his M. Sc. degree in International Relations from Quid-e-Azam University Islamabad. His Ph.D. dissertation was on studying the European Security System in the post-Helsinki accords period: A model for south Asia. He has participated in a number of International Conferences. Seminars and Workshops in Pakistan and abroad. From February 1993 to June 1993 and November 1994 to June 1996 he was a Visiting Scholar at the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament & International Security, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was also Visiting Fellow at the Henry L. Stimson Center, Washington, DC during the summer of 1997. He was Scholar-In-Residence at the Middle East Institute and Visiting Fellow at the Center for Stretegic and International Studies. Washington, DC in September-October 1999 and Visiting Fellow at the Joan B. Kroc Institute of International Peace Studies. University of Notre Dama, Indiana from October-December 1999.
We feel pleasure to introduce ourselves as Printers , Publishers, Distributors and Exporters of the Holy Arabic text, commentary and translation in English and of publications of Islam and Islamic studies in order to propagate Teachings of Islam.