Pakistan

Nuclear-armed state

Possesses 170 nuclear weapons

Has not yet joined the TPNW

Status

Pakistan has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

 

National position

Pakistan has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.

In 2022, Pakistan complained that the TPNW “fails to take on board our legitimate security concerns”, adding that it “does not consider itself bound by any of the obligations arising from this treaty” and asserting that the treaty “neither forms a part of nor contributes to the development of customary international law in any manner”.

A message projected onto the UN headquarters in New York in 2022 calls on Pakistan to join the TPNW. Photo: ICAN

 

Nuclear-weapon programme

Pakistan possesses approximately 170 nuclear weapons, which it can launch from missiles and aircraft. It is also developing its capability to launch them from submarines. Pakistan conducted two nuclear tests in 1998.

In 2022, Pakistan spent an estimated US$1 billion to build and maintain its nuclear weapons.

 

TPNW negotiations

Pakistan did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.

In 2016, Pakistan abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence the negotiations in 2017 on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

 

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

Nuclear-armed state

Possesses 170 nuclear weapons

Has not yet joined the TPNW

[HIGHLIGHTS]

Status

Pakistan has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).

 

National position

Pakistan has consistently voted against an annual UN General Assembly resolution since 2018 that welcomes the adoption of the TPNW and calls upon all states to sign, ratify, or accede to it “at the earliest possible date”.

In 2022, Pakistan complained that the TPNW “fails to take on board our legitimate security concerns”, adding that it “does not consider itself bound by any of the obligations arising from this treaty” and asserting that the treaty “neither forms a part of nor contributes to the development of customary international law in any manner”.

A message projected onto the UN headquarters in New York in 2022 calls on Pakistan to join the TPNW. Photo: ICAN

 

Nuclear-weapon programme

Pakistan possesses approximately 170 nuclear weapons, which it can launch from missiles and aircraft. It is also developing its capability to launch them from submarines. Pakistan conducted two nuclear tests in 1998.

In 2022, Pakistan spent an estimated US$1 billion to build and maintain its nuclear weapons.

 

TPNW negotiations

Pakistan did not participate in the negotiation of the TPNW at the United Nations in New York in 2017 and thus did not vote on its adoption.

In 2016, Pakistan abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that established the formal mandate for states to commence the negotiations in 2017 on “a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”.

 

Further information

Nuclear Weapons Ban Monitor

[PARTNERS]

Community Motivation & Development Organization

website


Pakistan Doctors for Peace and Development

website


Alliance for Peace and Disability Rights (APDR)

website

[LOCALSUPPORT]