Topic: 2026 – Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Areesha Shah
DELEGATE: Areesha Shah
COUNTRY: Pakistan
COMMITTEE: DISEC
TOPIC: Proliferation of Ballistic Missiles
The proliferation of ballistic missile technology represents a continuing challenge to international peace and security. Ballistic missiles possess the capability to deliver both conventional and nuclear payloads across long distances within a short period of time, compressing decision-making windows and increasing the likelihood of miscalculation during crises. Rapid technological advancement, the diffusion of dual-use materials, and the emergence of new missile defense systems have further complicated strategic stability. While the international community has attempted to address these dangers through voluntary arrangements such as the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation, these mechanisms remain limited in scope and participation. Because they are not universally negotiated within the United Nations framework, many states perceive them as selective export-denial systems rather than genuine collective security instruments. Pakistan believes that the issue of missile proliferation cannot be separated from broader security dynamics. In regions characterized by political disputes, military asymmetry, and unresolved conflicts, missile development often emerges as a response to insecurity rather than a cause of it. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan maintains a policy of credible minimum deterrence intended solely to prevent war and preserve strategic balance in South Asia. Pakistan is not a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons due to its discriminatory structure, which formally recognizes only a limited number of nuclear-weapon states while imposing permanent restrictions on others. Consequently, attempts to control missile technology that do not simultaneously address regional security concerns risk reinforcing instability instead of reducing it. Lasting non-proliferation requires equal security for all states rather than selective limitations placed on some. Pakistan further notes that technological denial regimes may unintentionally encourage indigenous weapons development by creating incentives for self-reliance. For many developing states, access to space launch and scientific technology is also tied to economic development, disaster monitoring, communications infrastructure, and climate research. Therefore, any international arrangement must clearly distinguish between peaceful technological advancement and destabilizing military deployment. Pakistan supports measures that prevent the acquisition of missile technology by non-state actors and condemns all forms of illicit trafficking in delivery systems and related materials. However, such efforts must be cooperative and universal rather than coercive and selective. The delegation of Pakistan advocates the negotiation of a comprehensive, non-discriminatory multilateral framework under the United Nations addressing ballistic missiles in a balanced manner. Transparency and confidence-building measures, including voluntary pre-launch notifications and crisis communication mechanisms, can significantly reduce risks of accidental escalation. Regional dialogue processes should accompany global agreements so that states facing direct security dilemmas can address their concerns through diplomacy rather than arms competition. Furthermore, discussions on missile limitations must include the destabilizing effects of advanced missile defense systems and the potential weaponization of outer space, both of which risk undermining deterrence and prompting further proliferation. In conclusion, Pakistan emphasizes that sustainable non-proliferation cannot be achieved solely through restrictions on technology but must instead be rooted in fairness, inclusivity, and mutual security. A universal approach negotiated within the United Nations system would promote confidence among states and encourage voluntary restraint. Pakistan remains committed to constructive engagement in DISEC to advance strategic stability, prevent conflict, and ensure that missile-related technologies are regulated in a manner consistent with sovereign equality and international peace.
