The threat to Pakistan's nuclear stability

[fatman17]

Political fallout - The threat to Pakistan's nuclear stability
By Andrew Koch and Kristin Rayhack
14 December 2007

On 28 November, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf stepped down as Pakistan's army chief and handed over control to General Ashfaq Pervez Kiani, former vice chief of army staff and a Musharraf loyalist. Musharraf was sworn in as a civilian president on 29 November in an effort to dispel a growing political crisis between him and the Supreme Court and save his relationship with the military, who felt increasingly undermined by Musharraf's actions.

This unfolding political crisis has been compounded by increasing militancy in the country. Recently, pro-Taliban militants have successfully exercised and expanded their influence into the Swat Valley, a remote district 150 miles from Islamabad in the North West Frontier Province.

The jihadist takeover in the Swat Valley is exemplary of the pervasive situation in the tribal areas whereby militants are extending their influence and control beyond previous strongholds. While the troubles appear to be limited to the border region for now, the decrease in central government control over these areas has created a power vacuum that is being filled by jihadists. As this phenomenon increases in scope, concerns are mounting regarding the Pakistani government's ability to address and contain the influence of radical Islamists if its secular forces remain split.

These factors, the political crisis and expanding militancy, have raised international concerns regarding the safety and security of Islamabad's nuclear arsenal. Such concerns are compounded by a history of Pakistani nuclear indiscretions. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the nuclear scientist heralded as 'the father of the Pakistani bomb', was the head of a now infamous nuclear proliferation network that leaked sensitive atomic secrets. In addition, two Pakistani scientists met with Al-Qaeda members including Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan in 2000 to discuss the possibility of acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

Although all three factors are unrelated, and the prospect of a militant takeover of or Islamist government in Islamabad are remote, these incidents have raised concerns that, should Pakistan endure worsening political and security stability, individuals could take advantage and attempt to transfer sensitive nuclear information or sell fissile material. However, while some of this concern is justified, it is distinct from the current political and ideological crisis unfolding in Pakistan, and there is little reason for the heightened anxiety.

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© 2007 Jane's Information Group

 

[Ahassan]

not to worry no one has guts to attack our installations...............

 

[EagleEyes]

Just for the info. A meeting was held today with top officials from the nuclear department, army, and strategic force to discuss this issue.

They have also warned media to not create a "baseless hype" and assure that they are safer, and will be discussing on the issue to make it even more secretive, and highly protective.

 

[mujahideen]

Under no circumstances would anyone be allowed to take away our weapons. We will defend the honor and integrity of Pakistan till the very last drop of our blood.

 

[Sam Dhanraj]

They have also warned media to not create a "baseless hype" and assure that they are safer,

And India Contributing in a Positive Way on "baseless Hype" !!!

Pakistan nukes safely guarded, says Narayanan ​

New Delhi (PTI): India believes that nuclear weapons in Pakistan are "pretty safely guarded" making it "extremely difficult" of it falling in "wrong hands" with the US paying "very close attention" to the issue.

It also said that the government has a contingency plan in place to deal with a situation of Pakistani nuclear weapons getting used by radical elements in the neighbouring country.

"It is extremely difficult for any outside element just walking away with a readymade nuclear device," National Security Adviser (NSA) M K Narayanan told Karan Thapar on India Tonight programme on CNBC TV 18.

It is not easy for just a couple of people to manage a nuclear device, he said adding that even as National Security Adviser "I cannot activate this on my own."

"I would therefore say it (Pakistani nuclear arsenal) is relatively safe or I would say it is largely safe," he said.
Fears of nuclear weapons falling in the hands of radicals has "activated" the American government to pay "very close attention" to the matter, the Narayanan said.

"... they are quite satisfied with the checks and balances which are adequate," he said.

It is no secret that there has been infiltration of radical elements in the armed forces, he said adding that he believed that during Pervez Musharraf's tenure as Army Chief and now under General Ashfaq Kiyani steps have been taken against them.

"There are certain secret radical elements but I think it is a remote possibility (of Pakistan nuclear weapons falling in the hands of radicals)," Narayanan said.

Narayanan sought to allay apprehensions on threat posed by Pakistan's nuclear arsenal to India and said that the government has a contingency plan in place to deal with such a situation.

"We have a contingency plan in place (to deal with a situation) of nukes falling into wrong hands and getting used by elements in Pakistan," he said.

Narayanan suspected that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to be behind the recent failed plot to kidnap Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

The interrogation of the Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists in Lucknow recently was "most revealing", he said.

It was certain that without official patronage it is difficult to conceive of such a detailed plan, he said.

"At some stage there could be an ISI hand," Narayanan said but sought to absolve the political class from being involved in the conspiracy.

On the threat of infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists, he said the Line of Control has become difficult to penetrate but admitted that the presence of terror launch pads across the LoC remained a cause of concern.

"There are enough (terror launching pads) for us to be concerned," the NSA said.

Narayanan said he did not think every terrorist incident in India has links to the political class or military in Pakistan.


The Hindu News Update Service

 

[fatman17]

And India Contributing in a Positive Way on "baseless Hype" !!!

Pakistan nukes safely guarded, says Narayanan ​

New Delhi (PTI): India believes that nuclear weapons in Pakistan are "pretty safely guarded" making it "extremely difficult" of it falling in "wrong hands" with the US paying "very close attention" to the issue.

It also said that the government has a contingency plan in place to deal with a situation of Pakistani nuclear weapons getting used by radical elements in the neighbouring country.

"It is extremely difficult for any outside element just walking away with a readymade nuclear device," National Security Adviser (NSA) M K Narayanan told Karan Thapar on India Tonight programme on CNBC TV 18.

It is not easy for just a couple of people to manage a nuclear device, he said adding that even as National Security Adviser "I cannot activate this on my own."

"I would therefore say it (Pakistani nuclear arsenal) is relatively safe or I would say it is largely safe," he said.
Fears of nuclear weapons falling in the hands of radicals has "activated" the American government to pay "very close attention" to the matter, the Narayanan said.

"... they are quite satisfied with the checks and balances which are adequate," he said.

It is no secret that there has been infiltration of radical elements in the armed forces, he said adding that he believed that during Pervez Musharraf's tenure as Army Chief and now under General Ashfaq Kiyani steps have been taken against them.

"There are certain secret radical elements but I think it is a remote possibility (of Pakistan nuclear weapons falling in the hands of radicals)," Narayanan said.

Narayanan sought to allay apprehensions on threat posed by Pakistan's nuclear arsenal to India and said that the government has a contingency plan in place to deal with such a situation.

"We have a contingency plan in place (to deal with a situation) of nukes falling into wrong hands and getting used by elements in Pakistan," he said.

Narayanan suspected that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to be behind the recent failed plot to kidnap Congress MP Rahul Gandhi.

The interrogation of the Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorists in Lucknow recently was "most revealing", he said.

It was certain that without official patronage it is difficult to conceive of such a detailed plan, he said.

"At some stage there could be an ISI hand," Narayanan said but sought to absolve the political class from being involved in the conspiracy.

On the threat of infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists, he said the Line of Control has become difficult to penetrate but admitted that the presence of terror launch pads across the LoC remained a cause of concern.

"There are enough (terror launching pads) for us to be concerned," the NSA said.

Narayanan said he did not think every terrorist incident in India has links to the political class or military in Pakistan.


The Hindu News Update Service

its a mixed reaction but certainly a CBM.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Indian NSC Statement:

Positive statements on the Nuclear issue, but more of the same unsubstantiated tripe on India's internal terrorism and security issues. The ISI bogeyman has been sold well and good to the Indian populace - it is going to be hard to break the habit of pulling out the "whipping boy" to explain all manner of ills in India.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

The West do have plans for **** Nukes

 

[firefight]

Pakistan' nukes will always be safe. No one dared attack our installations when we were
building them, now they are completed we have nothing to fear. We have strong allies
in China and Middle East.This is all propaganda ;the world dose not want an islamic
country to have nuclear weapons or defend itself in anyway to outside aggression.

 

[mujahideen]

Pakistan' nukes will always be safe. No one dared attack our installations when we were
building them, now they are completed we have nothing to fear. We have strong allies
in China and Middle East.This is all propaganda ;the world dose not want an islamic
country to have nuclear weapons or defend itself in anyway to outside aggression.

Well their were attempts to attack us when we were building them, but they either failed or were called of. on the night we exploded the devices Israeli jets along with Indian jets were scrambled to take out our capabilities but the U.S called them off.
But the rest of the statement I agree with.

 

[Black Stone]

Not now, no ones going to attack you guys. If they do, then they are crazy to attack a nuclear armed state.

 

[blain2]

Official Pakistani response around the issue of nuclear assets security and stability:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/wmd-mi...ets-interview-director-spd-pakistani-nca.html

 

[Introvert]

Official Pakistani response around the issue of nuclear assets security and stability:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/wmd-mi...ets-interview-director-spd-pakistani-nca.html

Didn't find it on PTV World News Website-Sci-Tech.

 

[blain2]

Use IE or Real Player with the appropriate plug-ins. Its there for sure.

 

[doobie87]

I wouldn't be so sure people,

current american presidential candidates seem quite willing to 'secure' pakistan's nukes if the need arises. to the guys who claim pakistan will defend its nukes till the last breath and what not, explain pakistans role in the war against terror. a war for which your citizens are paying dearly, like the suicide bomber that killed like 20 policemen this morning.