Nuclear Bombs in the Wrong Hands? Pakistan Under Global Scrutiny

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has firmly denied reports of any radiation leak from Pakistan’s nuclear facilities, countering a surge of viral social media claims and speculative foreign media coverage. These rumors alleged that Indian missiles targeted the Kirana Hills in Pakistan’s Sargodha region during Operation Sindoor, supposedly triggering a nuclear incident. The IAEA, referencing its Incident and Emergency Centre, stated unequivocally:

“Based on information available to the IAEA, there was no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan.”

The Indian government and military have also denied striking any nuclear installations, emphasizing that their actions remained within the conventional military domain.

Despite these official reassurances, the episode has reignited global anxieties about the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal — a concern that resonates from Washington to New Delhi, Paris to Tehran. The international discourse has shifted from “peace” and “diplomacy” to the far more alarming “atom bomb,” with Pakistan once again at the epicenter of this unease.

Persistent Fears: Who Controls Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons?

Pakistan’s nuclear program has long been a subject of international scrutiny — not just because of its weapons of mass destruction, but also due to persistent doubts about who truly controls these assets.

The Pakistani military, rather than the civilian government, is widely believed to exercise operational command over the country’s nuclear arsenal. This military dominance is further complicated by ideological rifts within the armed forces and broader society, where Islamist influences and radicalization have posed ongoing challenges.

Over the years, credible concerns have surfaced about fundamentalists gaining access to sensitive sites. Some within the military establishment have even made statements aligning themselves with religious — rather than purely national — causes. These developments continue to fuel global apprehensions about the possibility of insider threats or the misuse of nuclear assets.

The Strategic Plans Division (SPD), the body tasked with securing Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, is regarded as professional by some Western experts. It reportedly employs rigorous screening and monitoring protocols to detect extremist affiliations or behavioral shifts among its personnel. However, the SPD’s ability to enforce control is complicated by the need for secrecy around the locations and movements of nuclear materials — often resulting in risky transportation methods that could increase vulnerability to theft or sabotage.

A Perfect Storm: Instability, Extremism, and Economic Crisis

Pakistan’s internal instability further magnifies these concerns. The country is facing severe economic challenges, relying on repeated IMF bailouts to stave off collapse. At the same time, reports continue to surface about state funds being directed towards individuals and groups with terrorist links.

For example, the government recently announced a compensation package of ₹14 crore to the family of Masood Azhar, the UN-designated terrorist and chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed, after Indian strikes reportedly killed several of his relatives during Operation Sindoor. This move — alongside the continued state patronage of NGOs with extremist ties — raises troubling questions about the diversion of international aid and Pakistan’s commitment to counterterrorism.

These issues are not confined within Pakistan’s borders. The country’s role as a hub for multiple terrorist organizations — supported by a blend of organized crime, foreign funding, and official patronage — poses a direct and enduring threat to regional and global security.

India’s Strategic Response and International Reactions

India has responded to these developments with a recalibrated national security strategy. High-level meetings chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — attended by the chiefs of all three armed forces, the National Security Advisor, and key cabinet ministers — signal a shift towards a more assertive posture.

India is reportedly pursuing a four-pronged approach:

1. Diplomatic – Raising the issue at global forums such as the UN;
2. Economic – Pressuring international institutions to scrutinize Pakistan’s financial conduct;
3. Political – Highlighting Pakistan’s double standards on terrorism;
4. Military – Maintaining readiness for any escalation.

Globally, the spotlight is turning toward the risks posed by Pakistan’s nuclear doctrine. Unlike India, which adheres to a “No First Use” policy, Pakistan has often invoked its nuclear capability in response to conventional military pressure — increasing the risk of miscalculation and escalation.

The Case for International Oversight

Given the confluence of internal instability, extremist infiltration, misuse of international funds, and an opaque nuclear posture, there are growing calls for international oversight of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.

While the IAEA has dismissed the immediate rumors of a radiation leak, the underlying structural risks remain unaddressed. The world must now confront the very real possibility that, without enhanced transparency and control, Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could evolve from instruments of deterrence into triggers of catastrophe.

International bodies — including the United Nations Security Council and the IAEA — should consider enforcing:

• Independent audits of nuclear command structures;
• Unannounced inspections of sensitive facilities;
• Stringent conditions on IMF and World Bank financial assistance, especially when there’s evidence of misuse for terror-linked compensation or extremist NGO support.

Conclusion: No Radiation, but a Burning Global Concern

The IAEA’s reassurance may have quieted the headlines, but it hasn’t quelled the growing unease. Pakistan’s nuclear program remains shrouded in instability — not just because of its arsenal, but because of who might ultimately wield it.

As the lines between state and extremism blur, and as economic chaos chips away at institutional control, the world is staring at a dangerous equation: nuclear weapons in unpredictable hands.

This is no longer just Pakistan’s problem — it is a global security crisis in slow motion. The question is no longer if the world should act, but how soon — before the next rumor becomes reality, and diplomacy runs out of time.

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