Pakistan’s Nuclear Deterrence: Perceptions and Realities

Author(s) : Ahmad Khan, Ashfaq Ahmad

Abstract:

Pakistan’s nuclear weapons program and deterrence capability has attracted negative perceptions due to Pakistan’s internal turmoil, proliferation allegations, historical tensions with India, and recent development of Short Range Ballistic Missiles. These perceptions do not factor in Pakistan’s security compulsions in the region due to India’s changing strategic orientations and major power ambitions in South Asia. Pakistan’s has taken efforts to showcase itself as a responsible nuclear weapons state as it attempts to overcome these misperceptions with gradual transparency. Pakistan values strategic stability in South Asia and deterrence credibility towards India across all spectrums. Yet, the nuclear relationship in South Asia remains under flux and constantly shifting due to the changing security challenges and rise of violent non-state actors.