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PAKISTAN: VULNERABLE NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Atomic Jehad

US threat perceptions from within Pakistan have been heightened by the involvement of Pak nuclear scientists with an NGO operating in Afghanistan. The detention and subsequent questioning of Sultan Bashiruddin Mahmood, Abdul Majeed and Mirza Yousaf-all retired officials of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission-for running an NGO called Ummah Tameer-e-Nau in Afghanistan has fanned Washington's worst fears of nukes falling into the hands of pro-Taliban fundamentalists.

DEADLY PAYLOAD: Shaheen missiles can carry nuclear warheads up to 700 km

Mahmood was forced into retirement from government service in 1998-after Pakistan's nuclear tests-when he wrote articles warning then prime minister Nawaz Sharif against signing the CTBT. His removal was also the result of sustained American pressure. Washington was worried by intelligence reports pointing to Mahmood's close links to Islamic fundamentalist groups.

It is understood that the US has prepared contingency plans for tightening the security around Pakistan's strategic assets. The plans include offering a proper command and control structure and state-of-the-art security systems to Pakistan. Pakistan, predictably, has played down the nuclear doomsday scenario as Washington's involvement in the protection of Islamabad's nuclear devices will invite domestic wrath.

Pakistan, according to nuclear experts, is believed to have 15-25 nuclear weapons that are deliverable by a short-range ballistic missile and aircraft. US fears of the nukes falling into the hands of Al Qaida or pro-Taliban fundamentalists stem from the fact that security at Pakistan nuclear installations is not up to western standards. US Secretary of State Colin Powell raised the nuclear safety issue with Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf during his recent visit to Islamabad. It is said that the US offered to raise the perimeter fencing and install explosion-proof doors and nuclear locks to safeguard Pakistan's prized "bombs". Washington confirmed that it has had "general discussions" with Pakistan on issues related to nuclear safety over the years. However, strategic analysts say that although the US is concerned about Pakistan's nuclear weapons, the chances of such weapons falling into the hands of fundamentalists appear quite remote at this stage.

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