Pakistan’s Nuke’s Safety

Asem Mustafa Awan

United States Central Command (US CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E Kurilla, while giving a briefing in the United States Senate, said that Pakistan’s nuclear program is in safe hands.

Kurilla further informed the Senate that Pakistan is currently facing financial difficulties amid political strife but that there is no threat to its nuclear program, adding that he enjoys cordial relations with Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir.

It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s speech on nuclear assets in the Pakistan Senate has raised concerns about the safety of Pakistan’s nuclear program.Dar said no one has the right to tell Pakistan what range of missiles or nuclear weapons it should keep, and there will be no compromise on the nuclear or missile program for that matter.

After this statement of the finance minister, PTI Shah Mehmood Qureshi and PPP Senator Raza Rabbani expressed deep concerns and reservations.

Another statement about Pakistan’s nuclear assets came from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The international lender officials rejected the impression that the IMF wants to impose nuclear asset controls or any other similar conditions on Pakistan for the next loan tranche.

Fund officials made it clear that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program was not mentioned in the talks and that the bailout program was only focused on Pakistan’s economic policies.

Fears and rumours about Pakistan’s nuclear program started a few weeks ago when International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited Pakistan.

As a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan continues to consult the IAEA to safeguard its nuclear program, and Pakistani experts are doing their work better due to international guidance and the use of technology.However, some circles talk about Pakistan’s nuclear program in a very irresponsible manner, giving rise to international concerns.

The National Command Authority is responsible for dealing with nuclear assets and the Prime Minister heads this authority.Pakistan’s nuclear program is considered the most secure in the world, and no incidents of theft or disappearance of nuclear material have occurred in Pakistan, while several incidents of uranium sales have been reported in neighbouring India.

Undoubtedly, political instability, ineffective governance, corruption, and sometimes the activities of non-state actors have been the reason for increasing problems in Pakistan; but as soon as the concerns about nuclear assets came to light, all the main political parties of the country showed patriotism and a responsible approach in seeking explanations from the government.

It is also pertinent to note that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday and the Finance Minister on Monday bluntly stated that nuclear and missile programs are completely safe.

Pakistan, over the decades, owing to India’s aggressive attitude, built up its arsenal and achieved nuclear capabilities with Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan as its key scientist, which shook the world in May 1998.India in early May 1998 at the Pokhran site after its successful nuclear test threatened Pakistan and moved its troops at the borders. Pakistan’s reply at the end of May, on the 28th, silenced the world, particularly India.

The tests served the purpose of creating a balance of power in the region, as India’s hegemonic designs in the region affected all its neighbours. Rumours should be put to rest now that the US Centcom Commander and the IMF have clarified the situation.

Although conspiracies related to Pakistan’s nuclear program remain parts of India’s propaganda aimed at weakening Pakistan’s image, however, Pakistan should not take such propaganda lightly, particularly in the current political environment when states are heavily investing to spread misinformation and disinformation against opponents to achieve their national interests.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.