Topic: Trade in High-Tech Weapons Systems
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Celine Rajoulh
School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Pakistan position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
As a country who has suffered greatly as a result of terrorist activities, Pakistan recognizes the importance of regulating trade of high-tech weapons systems. The delegation strongly believes that any resolution discussing trade of high-tech weapons systems must involve striking an appropriate balance of interests and obligations among the exporters and importers as well as the affected states. Any treaty which seeks to address only the transfer of arms but not their development, production and deployment will be internationally inequitable against countries which do not produce such armaments. Although Pakistan voted for the Arms Trade Treaty, it is concerned about the omission of important definitions, which not only departed from established practice, but could be used by exporters to circumvent the treaty’s provisions. Furthermore, Pakistan stresses the view that steps must be taken to ensure that conventional arms were not used for terrorism, transnational organized crime, or violation of international humanitarian law. These partial solutions are the main reason as to why the situation has not been already resolved.
Pakistan acknowledges the benefits of trading high-tech weapons systems, but would like to reassert the urgent need for mutual and balanced reductions in armed forces and conventional armaments in fear of proliferation by an outside party. As one of the top five importers of arms, Pakistan agrees that protecting oneself is a nation’s unalienable right. However, with that right comes the responsibility of ensuring that high-tech weapons systems do not fall into the wrong hands. The delegation is optimistic that a holistic approach to the issue on the basis of constructive multilateralism will be achieved.
