Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction
| Islamic Republic of Pakistan | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear program start date | 20 January 1972 |
| First nuclear weapon test | 28 May 1998 (Chagai-I) |
| Last nuclear test | 30 May 1998 (Chagai-II) |
| Largest yield test | 40 kt (PAEC claim) |
| Total tests | 6 detonations |
| Peak stockpile | 170 warheads (2025 estimate) |
| Current stockpile | 170 warheads (2025 estimate) |
| Maximum missile range | 2750 km (Shaheen-III) |
| Nuclear triad | Yes |
| NPT party | No |
| Weapons of mass destruction |
|---|
| By type |
| By country |
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| Non-state |
| Biological weapons by country |
| Chemical weapons by country |
| Nuclear weapons by country |
| Proliferation |
| Treaties |
|
| Nuclear weapons |
|---|
| Background |
| Nuclear-armed states |
|
Pakistan is one of nine states that possess nuclear weapons. Pakistan is not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Pakistan's arsenal is estimated at 170 nuclear weapons as of 2025. Pakistan carried out two nuclear tests, Chagai-I and Chagai-II, both in 1998 and underground.
Pakistan's nuclear weapons program began in 1972 under Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto following Pakistan's defeat in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and India's advancing nuclear program. The program was developed through a combination of domestic scientific research, clandestine procurement networks associated with Abdul Qadeer Khan, and external political and financial support.
During its early development the government sought political and financial backing from several Muslim-majority countries and Arab states. Scholars identify Saudi Arabia as providing prolonged financial assistance that helped sustain the program during periods of economic pressure and international sanctions, while Libya is described as providing both financial and material support during the program's formative period.
Pakistan's nuclear weapons doctrine, full spectrum deterrence, rejects no first use, promising to use "any weapon in its arsenal" to protect its interests in the event of attack. Pakistan's primary strategic concern is potential conflict with India, which also possesses nuclear weapons.
Pakistan operates approximately 126 land-based missiles, primarily ballistic, of various short, medium, and intermediate ranges. Approximately 36 bombs and Ra'ad I/Ra'ad-II cruise missiles are assigned to Mirage III and Mirage 5 fighters. The Babur-III submarine-launched cruise missile is under development. Pakistan may possess smaller boosted fission weapons, but is not believed to have developed thermonuclear weapons.
Since 2001, US officials have prioritized safeguarding Pakistan's nuclear arsenal from potential nuclear terrorism, supplying equipment and training, and drafting military contingency plans.
Pakistan is not widely suspected of either producing biological weapons or having an offensive biological programme. Pakistan is a party to the Geneva Protocol, Chemical Weapons Convention, and Biological Weapons Convention.