Pakistan: A Nuclear Force in The Making

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An analysis of satellite imagery from footage gathered in September and April has revealed new construction which suggests that Pakistan is building a new uranium enrichment complex to potentially raise its nuclear stockpiles. There is no confirmation nor denial from Pakistan to this report so far.

According to the analysis, the site is within the secure area of the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), roughly 30 kilometers east of Islamabad, in the southwestern part of the Uranium enrichment complex.

It is situated within an established centrifuge facility, has very high security and shows some of the structural features of a possible new uranium enrichment facility. “This makes it a strong candidate for a new centrifuge facility,” said Karl Dewey, an analyst.

If the speculation turns out to be true, then this development could cause issue to Pakistan for gaining membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

As written on defenseworld.net, the United States has been working with the UN Security Council on a resolution that can slow down a dangerous nuclear race between Pakistan and India.

White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price told the US media that the proposed resolution would “strengthen existing national moratoria on nuclear explosive testing and improve the global verification architecture for detecting such testing”.

Pakistan conducted its first nuclear test in 1998 and is believed to be in possession of roughly 120 nuclear weapons. It has an array of missiles which could form the delivery systems for its nuclear weapons.