History of Pakistan as a Nuclear Power and its Advantages

“If India builds a bomb, we will eat grass or leaves, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own. We have no alternative.”

- Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto

Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program was established in 1972 by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto – Minister for Fuel, Power and Natural Resources. He later became the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. After the separation of East and West Pakistan, Bhutto initiated the said program.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Foto: Geo News

The beginning, due to India and with German knowledge

Pakistan’s nuclear program gained momentum after India tested its nuclear device in 1974. Since then, Pakistan continued to work towards its nuclear technology and expertise, but it was only in 1975, after Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan joined the program, that Pakistan considerably advanced its technology and efforts. Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was a German-trained metallurgist. He brought with him uranium enrichment technologies from Europe and knowledge of gas centrifuge technologies from the Netherlands. He was also put in charge of building, equipping and operating Pakistan’s Kahuta facility, which was established in 1976. Pakistan was able to establish a covert network to obtain materials and technology, all thanks to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan.

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan - the father of the Pakistani atomic bomb. Foto: YouTube, Sultan Ahmad

In 1985, Pakistan crossed the threshold of weapons-grade uranium production, and by 1986 it is thought to have produced enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon. Pakistan didn’t stop here but kept progressing its uranium enrichment program, and according to some Pakistani sources, Pakistan had the ability to carry out its very own nuclear tests in 1987.

Even though Pakistan had the ability to go nuclear, it didn’t. WHY? It’s mainly because Pakistan always justified its nuclear weapons by stating its need for defence against India. Hence, Pakistan only became overtly nuclear when India exploded its nuclear devices on May 11 and 13, 1998. On May 28 and 30, 1998, Pakistan also became a nuclear power. These explosions were described by Pakistani leaders as the rectification of the strategic imbalance in the region caused by India’s nuclear explosions.

Pakistan had no other choice, it was pushed to act so.. 

The major factors that pushed Pakistan to become a nuclear power in 1998 were (1) reluctance of Western powers to impose sanctions on India, (2) non-availability of credible security guarantees to Pakistan, (3) Pakistani perception that U.S. will not provide adequate economic assistance and military sales (4) anti-Pakistan statements from India – use of nuclear weapon to extend influence of military beyond LOC (line of control) in Kashmir, (5) and finally the growing domestic pressure for testing.

Pakistan was already economically suffering; the testing of nuclear weapons destroyed the Pakistani economy. But it was justified by the government as necessary due to advantages that ended up becoming the pillars of Pakistani defense. Pakistan was able to successfully offset its conventional military weaknesses. 

Pakistan also made its defenses invulnerable and transformed its inferiority to nuclear parity with its key opponent. 

Furthermore, states do not acquire nuclear weapons to conquer their enemies, but instead, it is to create a strong nuclear shield in order to avert wars by keeping in mind the concept of MAD – Mutually Assured Destruction. No state in the world thinks of destroying the security and territorial unity of a nuclear state.

AM