Tayyaba Khurshid
Pakistan’s journey towards its nuclear program started in the 1950s with the acquisition of scientific knowledge and technology for peaceful uses in health and agriculture, alongside aspirations to construct power plants to meet the energy requirements of its growing economy. Under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission obtained a small five-megawatt reactor from the US for the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH). A second plant, with a capacity of 120 megawatts, provided by Canada, was also placed under IAEA inspection safeguards.
During these years, India’s aspirations to shift its civilian nuclear program towards weapon development became evident, leaving Pakistani policymakers with no option but to develop nuclear weapons to deter an enemy that had always sought to undo Pakistan and posed an immediate threat to national security. The statement of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1965, “If India makes an atomic bomb, then we will also do so, even if we have to eat grass… An atom bomb can only be answered by an atom bomb,” is a testament to the necessity of acquiring nuclear weapon technology at that time. Pakistan was facing a historical rival, having fought three major wars and experiencing India’s reluctance to resolve the issue of Kashmir.
Although the idea of developing nuclear weapons was initially not accepted, with the belief that conventional defense capabilities would be sufficient for deterrence, the 1971 episode compelled Pakistan to devise its own means of security and survival beyond conventional forces. The attainment of nuclear weapons by India left Pakistan with no option but to initiate its Nuclear Weapons Program. India resumed its testing of nuclear weapons after its first test in 1974. The Indian “Smiling Buddha” test brought more difficulties for Pakistan as the US non-proliferation agenda began to focus more on Pakistan, and export control regimes tightened their export of nuclear material. Despite the hurdles imposed by the US, Pakistani scientists and policymakers were determined to develop a bomb. Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan proposed building a plant for the indigenous manufacture of centrifuges to enrich uranium. Heading the Engineering Research Laboratories, he and his team of talented scientists and engineers overcame the technological challenges imposed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group. The KRL was built in record time, and by 1981, the capability to produce weapon-grade material was achieved.
PAEC teams of theoretical physicists and engineers developed designs for explosive devices, tunnels, and monitoring equipment for tests. After several cold tests and despite various hurdles and domestic challenges, Pakistan’s pursuit of its nuclear program remained steadfast. It not only made technological progress but also overcame obstacles, resisted discriminatory pressures, completed the Kahuta Plant, and achieved explosion technology. The Atomic Energy Commission scientists successfully mastered the design of a nuclear device. By the 1980s, Pakistan publicly acknowledged possessing this capability, and strategic imperatives following the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan led to a temporary easing of nuclear sanctions by the US. By the 1990s, Pakistan had accumulated enough enriched uranium for ten or more explosive devices.
The 11 May tests by India in 1998 were followed by Pakistani tests on 28 May, changing the strategic dynamics of South Asia forever. On 28 May, a young physicist, Muhammad Arshad was given the opportunity to press the button, and five devices of different designs, sizes, and yields were tested. A sixth miniaturized device of advanced design was tested at Kharan on 30 May, and various centers across the world confirmed the emergence of the seventh nuclear power.
This year marks the 26th anniversary of Pakistan’s nuclear weapon testing on 28 May, when Pakistan became the 7th nuclear weapon power in the world and the 1st nuclear weapon state in the Muslim world. Acquiring nuclear weapons became a strategic necessity for Pakistan as its historical rival had also acquired nuclear technology, increasing Pakistan’s security dilemma. The rationale behind Pakistan’s nuclear weapon testing was to establish a credible deterrent against any potential aggression, thereby ensuring territorial integrity and sovereignty. Therefore, 28 May is celebrated as a day of pride for all Pakistanis, as the tireless efforts and dedication of our leadership, scientists, engineers, and technicians have made Pakistan a nuclear power.
Pakistan’s nuclear weapon program was purely defensive because, on the conventional front, Pakistan could not match India’s much larger military power. The conventional asymmetry and India’s acquisition of nuclear weapons served as the fundamental driving force behind Pakistan’s weapon testing program. India’s nuclearization of South Asia brought strategic instability to the region, and Pakistan’s response aimed at preserving peace and stability. Since acquiring nuclear weapons, Pakistan has behaved as a responsible nuclear weapon state, establishing a robust command and control system. From the inception of the program, Pakistan’s nuclear weapons aimed to prevent war and adhered to the principle of credible minimum deterrence. Since the nuclearization of South Asia, the notion of mutually assured destruction has helped the two states avoid war, even during various crises. Although Indian leaders have often shown irresponsible behavior by threatening to use nuclear weapons, for Pakistan, nuclear weapons are a means of preventing war, not fighting it, and can be invoked only as a last resort. Pakistan aims to maintain credible minimum deterrence and not engage in an arms race. India’s aggressive cold start doctrine for a surprise attack compelled Pakistan in 2011 to move towards a strategy of full spectrum deterrence, leading to the development of tactical nuclear weapons and the short-range Nasr missile. Pakistan’s nuclear program serves as an important pillar of its national security.
As 26 years have passed and Pakistan has successfully preserved deterrence, the country is focusing more on its original objective of utilizing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Pakistan collaborates with the IAEA, and IAEA DG Rafael Grossi has acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts in civilian use by stating that Pakistan has a world-class and impeccable nuclear safety record. In a nutshell, Pakistan’s nuclear program has matured into a robust program ensuring the safety, security, and survival of Pakistan, benefiting the country in the health, energy, and agriculture sectors. Therefore, it is essential for Pakistan to focus on the peaceful use of nuclear technology and maximize its benefits to resolve its socio-economic challenges along with investing in research and development to advance in emerging technologies like AI, space, and cyberspace to compete with its neighbor and overcome the challenges these technologies can impose on Strategic Stability.
The author of this article is an Associate Research officer at Center for International Strategic Studies, AJK.
