ISLAMABAD – Nuclear terrorism is a potential threat to the world security.Nuclear security expert Mathew Bunn argues that, “An act of nuclearterrorism would likely put an end to the growth and spread of nuclearenergy.”After 9/11, the world came to know that al-Qaeda wanted to acquirenuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has observedthousands of incidents of lost, left and unauthorised control of nuclearmaterials and such materials can go into the wrong hands.
After 9/11, terrorism generated negative perceptions about the nuclearsecurity of Pakistan. The western community often pressurises Pakistan thatits nuclear weapons can go into the wrong hands. Nations mostly obtainnuclear weapons for the international prestige, but Pakistan is one ofthose states which obtained the nuclear capability to defend itself fromIndia which has supremacy in conventional weapons.
Pakistan has taken fool-proof measures to defend its nuclear installationsand nuclear materials against any terrorist threats. Pakistan is not asignatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Comprehensive Test-BanTreaty (CTBT) or Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) because India hasnot signed them. If Pakistan signs these treaties and India does not, itwould raise asymmetry between them.
Pakistan’s nuclear non-proliferation policy is based on principles as perthe NPT norms, despite not having signed it. Pakistan had also proposed tomake South Asia a nuclear-free zone in the 1970s and 80s, but India did notaccept the olive branch.
However, Pakistan is a strong supporter of non-proliferation, nuclearsafety and security. In this context, it is the signatory of a number ofregimes. Pakistan established its Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) onJanuary22, 2001, under the IAEA.
The PNRA works under the IAEA advisory group on nuclear security and isconstantly improving and re-evaluating nuclear security architecture.Pakistan has ratified the 2005 amendment to the physical protectionconvention for the physical security of nuclear materials.
When Obama announced Nuclear Security Summit in 2009, Pakistan welcomed it.It has not only attended all such summits but proved with its multiplenuclear security measures that it is a responsible nuclear state.Pakistan’s nuclear devices are kept unassembled with the permissive actionlinks (PALs) to prevent the unauthorised control and detonation of nuclearweapons. Different US policymakers and Obama have stated that, “We haveconfidence that the Pakistani military is equipped to prevent extremistsfrom getting access to the nuclear materials.”
The dilemma, however, is that some major powers favour India due to theirgeopolitical interests, despite India’s low score in nuclear security ascompared to Pakistan, as is evident from the reports prepared by theNuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).
Recently, an IAEA director visited Pakistan and appreciated its efforts innuclear safety and security. In view of Pakistan’s successful war againstterrorism and the strong measures that it has taken to secure its nuclearinstallations and materials, there should be no doubt left about the safetyof Pakistan’s nuclear materials
The US has always favoured India for membership of the NSG, ignoringPakistan’s request to become a member of the same. Despite that, it hastaken more steps than India to ensure nuclear safety and security. It isfollowing United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 (which isabout the prevention of proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction), andit is the first state which has submitted its report to the UN.
The report explains the measures taken by Pakistan to ensure radiologicalsecurity and control of sensitive materials and WMDs transfer.
Recently, an IAEA director visited Pakistan and appreciated its efforts innuclear safety and security. In view of Pakistan’s successful war againstterrorism and strong measures that it has taken to secure its nuclearinstallations and materials, there should be no doubt left about the safetyof Pakistan’s nuclear materials.
BY: Sonia Naz, *The writer is a Research Associate at Strategic VisionInstitute Islamabad. She can be contacted at nazsonia68@gmail.com*