India’s ‘no first use’ policy vs Pakistan’s ‘full spectrum deterrence’, what is this policy which makes Pakistan dangerous?

New Delhi: Currently, many countries around the world are grappling with war, and a similar situation seems to be developing between India and Pakistan. Speculations are that after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India will not remain silent, and if actions are taken, Pakistan will not simply give up without a fight. The most alarming aspect is that Pakistan also has nuclear power and has not signed the No First Use (NFU) policy.

India’s policy is No First Use (NFU). This is an official declaration under which a country promises that it will not use nuclear weapons against an enemy first, but will only retaliate. On the other hand, Pakistan does not follow such a policy. In fact, it often boasts about its weapons. Instead of NFU, Pakistan has adopted the right of full-spectrum deterrence. If it is attacked, it can decide whether the response will be at the same level of attack or if a nuclear strike could occur. This means that in response to a marginal attack, it has the option to drop a nuclear bomb on the enemy or initiate biological warfare.

Who controls the nuclear arsenal in Islamabad?

The control of nuclear weapons in any country is kept highly confidential. In Islamabad, this falls under highly classified information as well. However, it is believed that the control of nuclear weapons is in the hands of the National Command Authority (NCA), led by the Prime Minister.

The NCA was established in the year 2000 to monitor the growing nuclear stockpile in Pakistan. Besides the Prime Minister, the NCA includes the President, the Home Minister, the Defense Minister, and the commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In the event of war, all these individuals can come together to reach a decision, but the final approval will come from the Prime Minister and the President. The responsibility for the launch of nuclear weapons will lie with the military.

Pakistan’s leading scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who is also called the father of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, was not obligated to answer anyone. As a result, the scientists started making mistakes. Khan himself admitted that he had transferred a lot of technology to other countries without governmental approval. Later, the Pakistani government resolved all these issues and gained control over it, while the army retained the remote for launching.

Which of the two has how many weapons?

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) report for the year 2024, India has 172 weapons, while Pakistan has 170. India is focusing more on long-range weapons, including those capable of reaching China. On the other hand, Pakistan’s major focus is on India.

In a country where there is so much leeway regarding nuclear weapons, and which has not even agreed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, can a nuclear attack be launched at any time? There is not much specific information about Pakistan’s safety procedures. According to the report, explosives are kept separate from non-nuclear components to prevent any misuse. After the September 11 attacks, several questions arose regarding Pakistan. The government there had given this response to the UN General Assembly.

International approval is not required for the use of nuclear weapons. If a country wishes to, it wouldn’t need to speak or seek approval on a larger platform. However, this is an extreme step, and there are many agreements in place to control it. For example, the UN Charter states that a nuclear attack disrupts peace and can incite other countries to war. To prevent such actions, several rules have been established in the Charter. Under the Geneva Conventions, nuclear attacks on non-military areas and civilians are prohibited.

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