ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has issued a stern warning to the international community about Israel’s undeclared nuclear arsenal, cautioning that its unregulated capabilities pose a grave threat to regional stability and global peace. In a strongly worded statement, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif called for immediate international attention to what he described as a growing and unchecked danger in the Middle East.
Speaking amidst escalating tensions in the region, Asif highlighted that Israel remains entirely outside the framework of global nuclear regulation. “Israel is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), nor does it adhere to any binding international nuclear agreements,” he stated. “This lack of accountability makes Israel a unique and alarming case in the international system.”
The minister said that the world must be “wary and apprehensive” of Tel Aviv’s nuclear posture, particularly as its political and military aggression in the region intensifies. “While the international community continues to scrutinize other nations—often without concrete evidence—Israel operates beyond the bounds of global oversight,” Asif said. “This double standard is not only unjust, it is dangerous.”
He contrasted Israel’s stance with Pakistan’s nuclear policy, underscoring that Islamabad has consistently acted as a responsible nuclear power. “Pakistan is fully committed to international nuclear conventions and has always maintained a policy of minimum credible deterrence,” he said. “Our nuclear program is defensive in nature, developed solely for the protection of our sovereignty and the security of our people. We do not use it as a tool for regional dominance or coercion.”
Asif further criticized Western powers for their continued political and military support for Israel, describing it as enabling a “rogue state” that acts with impunity. “The West’s patronage of Israel, despite its non-compliance with international norms, is both hypocritical and perilous,” he said. “Backing such a state without holding it accountable could trigger a broader conflict, with consequences that go far beyond the Middle East.”
The defence minister’s remarks come as the Israel-Gaza conflict enters a dangerously volatile phase, with mounting civilian casualties and a growing risk of regional escalation. International humanitarian groups have also raised alarms over the scale of destruction and the absence of diplomatic restraint.
Although Israel has never officially declared its possession of nuclear weapons, it is widely believed to have a sophisticated and substantial nuclear arsenal. Independent estimates suggest the country possesses between 80 to 90 warheads. Unlike Iran and other regional states, Israel has not signed the NPT nor is it a party to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) Additional Protocol, allowing it to avoid inspections of its nuclear facilities.
Reiterating Pakistan’s principled stance, Khawaja Asif stressed that Islamabad’s nuclear doctrine is based on restraint, responsibility, and credible deterrence. “We remain fully transparent and cooperative with global nuclear norms. Our commitment is to peace and stability, not aggression,” he said.
He concluded by urging the international community to abandon its selective approach and address Israel’s nuclear status with the seriousness it demands. “Ignoring this threat will not make it disappear,” he warned. “The world must wake up before it’s too late.”
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