Pakistan's Nuclear Modernization Continues Despite Financial Woes

WASHINGTON – Pakistan continued development of its nuclear arsenal last year despite severe economic hardship, a top US intelligence official told Congress. This push is fueled by the nation's ongoing tensions with neighboring India.

Lt. Gen Jeffrey Kruse, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, revealed this information during an April 15th Congressional hearing. He highlighted Pakistan's attempts to gain international support for resolving the Kashmir dispute with India, including approaching the UN Security Council.

Despite the Kashmir conflict, the two nations have upheld a fragile ceasefire since February 2021. However, Gen. Kruse noted that Pakistan faces a rising tide of terrorist violence within its borders.

Nuclear Focus Amid Hardship​

Pakistan's nuclear program continues to expand, with an estimated 170 warheads as of January 2023. This occurs simultaneously with significant economic turmoil, forcing the nation to seek loans from allies like China and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan's finance minister is currently in Washington discussing a new loan with the International Monetary Fund.

India-Pakistan tensions remain a central driver of Pakistani defense policy. While cross-border violence has decreased since the 2021 ceasefire agreement, Pakistan has continued to upgrade its nuclear arsenal, including successful testing of a new medium-range ballistic missile.

Internal Strife​

Pakistan faces an escalating internal threat, with approximately 400 security forces personnel killed by rebels in 2023 – the highest in nine years. Pakistani security forces engage in near-daily counterterrorism operations.

The Kashmir Issue​

India and Pakistan's troubled relationship centers on the Kashmir territory, along with cross-border terrorism originating from Pakistan. In 2019, Pakistan cut diplomatic ties with India after the Indian government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

India maintains that restoring normal relations depends on Pakistan eliminating terrorist activity within its borders and views the Kashmir issue as an internal matter.

 

[Hari Sud]

IMF money used for nuclear program.

 

[Anant]

This so-called nation of perennial beggars will only ever keep doing this. They said at one point that they would eat grass but get nukes. Let them continue, and they soon won't even have grass left to eat. Maybe they can then take inspiration from their Chinese masters and eat their export-quality donkeys.

In all seriousness, however, it is a known that past bailout money has gone to the modernisation and expansion of Bhikaristan's military and nukes. Exceptionally strict oversight needs to be taken to ensure they don't do this again, for else they will again get their begging bowls out for any dollars people would throw their way.

 

[Frank]

This so-called nation of perennial beggars will only ever keep doing this. They said at one point that they would eat grass but get nukes. Let them continue, and they soon won't even have grass left to eat. Maybe they can then take inspiration from their Chinese masters and eat their export-quality donkeys.

In all seriousness, however, it is a known that past bailout money has gone to the modernisation and expansion of Bhikaristan's military and nukes. Exceptionally strict oversight needs to be taken to ensure they don't do this again, for else they will again get their begging bowls out for any dollars people would throw their way.

Their patriotism is admirable honestly

 

[Frank]

Their patriotism is admirable honestly

Not patriotism but their never dying hatred for Hindu majority India and desire to obliterate it , makes them stock pile nuclear weapons.

 

[Frank]

Not patriotism but their never dying hatred for Hindu majority India and desire to obliterate it , makes them stock pile nuclear weapons.

IF ONLY HINDUS WERE HALF THAT UNITED COMMITED TO THEIR RELIGION...

 

[Sangram]

IMF money goes for Pakistan nuclear upgrade, india should warn IMF them if anything will happen IMF has to be blame.

 

[Bharat007]

Fingers are pointed at Saudis. Saudis are indeed funding Pak Nuke program keeping in mind there's fear in Gulf States about Iran's possible acquisition of Nuke Bombs. Saudi Arabia will seek to acquire Nukes from Pak within short time if Iran tests Nukes.

 

[ryan]

Their patriotism is admirable honestly

This is anything but Patriotism. This is called RADICALSIM at its Peak

 

[Anant]

Their patriotism is admirable honestly

Patriotism goes beyond military aspects. Bhikaristan's military patriotism is admirable, but their overall patriotism is highly misplaced. They need to focus on their economy if they want to get out of their begging cycle.

 

[Frank]

Patriotism goes beyond military aspects. Bhikaristan's military patriotism is admirable, but their overall patriotism is highly misplaced. They need to focus on their economy if they want to get out of their begging cycle.

Their economy can't recover. Too much population leads to high consumption lead to high import led to dollar deficiet. Impossible to improve economy

Although their army is more patriotic. Despite 10 times lower budget they managed to humiliate us on balakot

 

[BCharlie]

IMF money used for nuclear program.

Sir, its not true .. check their funds allocation process.. not even a dollar of IMF.. World Bank funds spent on Defense.. they spend 'all their own GDP money' on Defense platform incl all its R&D, Manufacturing, Procurement, upgradation etc of Defense Eqpt; and then they run their country on IMF funds. On paper they spend almost nothing on defense, but in reality its humongous amounts with under-priced Chinese eqpt. Thats how they run their defense forces.. no IMF money.

 

[BCharlie]

This is anything but Patriotism. This is called RADICALSIM at its Peak

Regardless, but reality is they are dogheaded in doing some stuff, one of that is defense eqpt.

 

[BCharlie]

Patriotism goes beyond military aspects. Bhikaristan's military patriotism is admirable, but their overall patriotism is highly misplaced. They need to focus on their economy if they want to get out of their begging cycle.

No, they have clearly set their targets & goals. Their economy is managed by USA thru IMF.. so, they have a mad dog in the region to do their dirty works. Same like they have Israel in MEast. Pakistan will always survive economically & propped up..