Why Pakistan is opening up over its nuclear programme

SharpAsKnife

Minister (2k+ posts)
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Pakistan has disclosed for the first time that it has made low-yield nuclear weapons for use in the event of a sudden attack by its larger neighbour and rival, India.
Pakistan has had nuclear weapons for years but this is thought to be the first time it has spoken publicly about its nuclear arsenal.

Why now?

The disclosure was made by Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry during a news briefing in Washington on Monday.
It comes before Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is to meet Barack Obama in Washington on Thursday.
The two are expected to discuss Pakistan's nuclear programme among other issues, including Afghanistan and militant groups such as the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Mr Chaudhry's disclosure is seen by many as the first concrete explanation by a Pakistani official of how Pakistan intends to deal with possible Indian aggression.

Is it a surprise?

"The fact that Pakistan was making small tactical nuclear weapons was clear to the world from the day Pakistan started its missile programme," says Pervez Hoodbhoy, a nuclear physicist and independent security analyst based in Lahore.
"It meant that Pakistan had developed low-yield nuclear warheads to be delivered by those missiles at short ranges, in a battlefield, having localised impact, unlike big bombs designed to destroy cities."
Experts believe that the 2011 testing of the nuclear-capable Nasr missile with a 60km range was an indication that Pakistan was building an arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons for use in a theatre of war.

Hasan Askari Rizvi, a Lahore-based expert on defence and security issues, suspects Pakistan may have designed even smaller nuclear weapons, capable of being shot from a specially-designed gun.
"The Americans apparently know about these weapons, and recent debate in the US media suggests that Pakistan may actually be in possession of tactical weapons which are greater in number and accuracy than those of India," he says.


How worried should we be?

Mr Hoodbhoy points out that these battlefield weapons could be more dangerous than larger weapons because in the event of a conflict, they will need to be spread out, deployed at multiple locations closer to the targets, and would need to be fired at short notice.
"Compliance with nuclear command and control procedures may not always be adequately ensured for all the missile units deployed across a theatre," he says.
Another matter of concern for Western powers is the fact that Pakistan developed these weapons despite nuclear-related international sanctions in force since 1998, when it carried out its first nuclear test.

There is a belief that much of this technology has been acquired from China, a pipeline which will be difficult to block unless Pakistan is brought into the nuclear mainstream.

What's the US doing?

There have been suggestions the US may offer Pakistan membership of the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, with legitimate access to available research and technology, in return for some curbs on fissile material production and its missiles programme.
In Pakistan, where the civilian leadership has seemingly been under pressure from the military in matters related to defence and foreign affairs, these suggestions are being touted as a warning that the Americans might try to force Mr Sharif, a civilian, to agree to nuclear curbs.

What prompted the Pakistani move?

Mr Chaudhry's statement came against this backdrop, and since he has made no significant disclosures, Prof Askari thinks there may be two reasons why he chose to talk about the issue at all.
"One is apparently to reassure domestic audience that there's going to be no 'sell-out' on the nuclear issue," he says.
"The second may well be to officially confirm to India what it might expect if it ever decides on surgical action or hot pursuit inside Pakistan."
Pakistan banned a film released in August called Phantom. It was based on a covert Indian operation to kill the 2008 Mumbai attack plotters, including Hafiz Saeed, the former head of militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is accused of carrying out the attack.

"The Americans killed Osama by barging in, why can't we do the same?" says the agent in charge of the mission, played by Muslim actor Saif Ali Khan.
India said that any nuclear attack on its forces would be treated as a nuclear strike on India itself and it would respond accordingly - so observers warn any use of nuclear weapons could quickly escalate.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34588009

 
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SharpAsKnife

Minister (2k+ posts)
With low range tactical nukes, Pakistan is almost untouchable by rival country as they fear that Pakistan will reply with these small deadly war heads in case if any cold start war or surgical strike happens from Rival india. InshaAllah
 

TONIC

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Simple, if you have anything which is declared then it can't be taken back and essentially US wants Pakistan not to develop anything to deter India and secondly not to increase its range so that it can't reach Israel and for doing this US is willing to cooperate in civil nuclear energy program and it will be a fatal mistake for Pakistan.

Secondly US doesn't want that CHINA should get access to hot waters via Pakistan so essentially it will play card of Independent Baluchistan that's why Doval meet some Baloch leaders in Ireland recently and just before MQM meet with US officials Baloch leaders also meet with US officials.
 

karachii

Minister (2k+ posts)
Can You Spot the difference in comments of "Bayhooda Bhai" and "Mr.Askari". "Bayhooda Bhai" comments are more of a concern towards Pak Nuclear Program. They Guy Is Liberal Fascist.
 

Shahid Abassi

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Pakistan can only be secure after getting those 8 submarines which we have ordered with China.
In a nuclear war, the capability of making a second strike is the most important capability. And that has to be from the sea.
For India there are many options like necobar islnads, but for Pakistan it is submarine based.
 

saina

MPA (400+ posts)
Well whats does USA want? Pakistani should not have any protection against India or we need beg from india?

USA need to think about pakistan view point as well. why don't they think why we even need this?
 

SharpAsKnife

Minister (2k+ posts)
Well whats does USA want? Pakistani should not have any protection against India or we need beg from india?

USA need to think about pakistan view point as well. why don't they think why we even need this?

Army has given its verdict before NS left the country. It was confidently taught and declared infront of Puppets like NS and his darbaari to not to agree or compromise on nukes. He shud have a better idea whether he wud want to come back to Pak or not
 

Sphere Manisfest

Senator (1k+ posts)
Current LOC violations by Gaomata pillas stopped after disclosure of this tactical choto by PAK ARMY

گاؤ ماتا سے ایک آئیڈیا آیا ہے. پاکستان کو چاہیے کوئی ایک لاکھ کے قریب گایں ذبح کر کے کشمیری عوام کے نام پر آئ ڈی پیز میں تقسیم کر دیں. بنیے سے نکلنے والا دھواں دیکھنے لائق ہو گا.
 

Shahid Abassi

Chief Minister (5k+ posts)
Don't worry Balochistan is such a thinly populated that their is no chance of a decisive revolt. Pakistan army is too strong and nuclear capability will keep every one away.Yes they can creat caos but nothing more than that. Count on full fledge help from China and a bit from Russia too. World is heading towards bipolarization where it will be difficult for countries like Pakistan to remain independent from it. USA is fast losing Pakistan as her half a century old strategic partner, all due to USA's inablity to manage solving the conflicts between India and Pakistan. In my opinion, USA is in no position to lose strategically located Pakistan to a bipolar setup of 21st century and that too if ever fighting Afghan lords and extrimists can't be tamed.


Simple, if you have anything which is declared then it can't be taken back and essentially US wants Pakistan not to develop anything to deter India and secondly not to increase its range so that it can't reach Israel and for doing this US is willing to cooperate in civil nuclear energy program and it will be a fatal mistake for Pakistan.

Secondly US doesn't want that CHINA should get access to hot waters via Pakistan so essentially it will play card of Independent Baluchistan that's why Doval meet some Baloch leaders in Ireland recently and just before MQM meet with US officials Baloch leaders also meet with US officials.
 
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HIDDEN

Minister (2k+ posts)

گاؤ ماتا سے ایک آئیڈیا آیا ہے. پاکستان کو چاہیے کوئی ایک لاکھ کے قریب گایں ذبح کر کے کشمیری عوام کے نام پر آئ ڈی پیز میں تقسیم کر دیں. بنیے سے نکلنے والا دھواں دیکھنے لائق ہو گا.

only if we start uploading short clips of this eid ul adha on YouTube and Dailymotion, Hindu baniya will stop using internet...
 

Dawood Magsi

Minister (2k+ posts)
I think few million Ak 47s in the hands of moaists, Northeastern states, Sikhs etc will do more good for Pakitan than Nukes :)