Introduction

The closest formulation of Pakistan’s Nuclear Security doctrine, if any, was enunciated in an article appearing in The News, in October 1999, written by former Foreign Minister Agha Shahi, former Foreign Secretary Abdus Sattar and Air Chief Air Marshal (retired) Zulfiqar Khan. It was India-specific and spoke of credible, minimum deterrence - it would be flexible in response in a dynamic threat environment. India’s offer of `No First use’ was rejected - instead, Pakistan offered a `No War Pact’, which was not acceptable to India.