Pakistan’s nuclear programme and the case for deterrence

October 11, 2026

Pakistan’s nuclear programme is often discussed through the lens of regional tensions and international concerns. However, nuclear capability cannot be separated from the security environment in which a country operates. For Pakistan, nuclear weapons serve as a deterrent intended to prevent aggression and maintain a strategic balance in South Asia. Their purpose must be understood in this context, while nuclear security remains a responsibility that cannot be compromised. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s recent assessment of Pakistan’s nuclear security framework offers an opportunity to examine the issue on the basis of evidence rather than assumptions. Following a 12-day review, the IAEA’s expert mission described the country’s nuclear security system as robust and found that it was being properly implemented at the facility visited.

This is a positive assessment. It is also significant because nuclear security is not simply a matter of national claims. It requires effective laws, trained personnel, physical protection, regular reviews and continuous improvement. International expert missions provide an opportunity to examine these arrangements and identify weaknesses that need attention. Pakistan should welcome such scrutiny. A credible nuclear programme depends not only on maintaining deterrence but also on demonstrating that nuclear materials and facilities are protected against unauthorised access and other security threats. The international community has a legitimate interest in nuclear security, and Pakistan has an interest in showing that its arrangements meet the required standards.

The mission also recommended improvements in regulations, procedures and operational practices. These findings should not be ignored or treated as a formality. No security system can remain effective without regular assessment and the willingness to address shortcomings. Pakistan ratified the 2005 amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material in 2016. Its participation in international nuclear security arrangements provides another basis for engagement with the global community.

The wider lesson is that deterrence and nuclear security must go together. Pakistan’s security concerns cannot be dismissed, but neither can the responsibility that comes with nuclear capability. A stable regional balance requires credible deterrence, responsible management and sustained efforts to prevent nuclear materials from falling into the wrong hands. The IAEA assessment is therefore a welcome development.