India-Pakistan non-attack agreement |
THE protection of the nuclear facilities from internal and external sabotage is imperative for states with nuclear programs. The military facilities are adequately guarded, but the protection of civilian nuclear facilities has also received serious attention from the nuclear establishments due to the fears that a radiological disaster as a result of a military attack on the nuclear facility – whether deliberate or accidental – could lead to radiation exposure to facility workers, nearby civilians and the surrounding environment. Therefore, the international legal regime concerning nuclear safety and security and emergency preparedness, is aimed at protecting workers, people and the environment from the harmful effects of nuclear radiation.
Currently, the nuclear facilities are vulnerable to inadvertent or deliberate military strikes in conflict zones and volatile regions around the world. In South Asia, India and Pakistan operate several nuclear facilities for both peaceful and military purposes. The conflicting nature of their relations alarms that they may hit each other’s nuclear facilities covertly or overtly. The encouraging sign is that the Indian and Pakistani policymakers realize the repercussions of a radiological disaster from an attack on each other’s nuclear facilities. Therefore, they agreed on the Agreement between India and Pakistan on the Prohibition of Attack Against Nuclear Installations and Facilities (India-Pakistan Non-Attack Agreement)on December 31, 1988.
The Agreement was ratified and entered into force on January 1, 1991,........