Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction
| Islamic Republic of Pakistan | |
|---|---|
| Nuclear program start date | 20 January 1972 |
| First nuclear weapon test | 28 May 1998 (Chagai-I) |
| Last nuclear test | 30 May 1998 (Chagai-II) |
| Largest yield test | 40 kt (PAEC claim) |
| Total tests | 6 detonations |
| Peak stockpile | 170 warheads (2025 estimate) |
| Current stockpile | 170 warheads (2025 estimate) |
| Maximum missile range | 2750 km (Shaheen-III) |
| NPT party | No |
| Nuclear weapons |
|---|
| Background |
| Nuclear-armed states |
|
Pakistan is one of nine states that possess nuclear weapons, and is not party to the Nuclear Non-Profileration Treaty (NPT) and any of its provisions. As of 2025, multiple unofficial sources indicate a stockpile of 170 warheads (fission type). Pakistan maintains a doctrine of minimum credible deterrence instead of a no first-use policy, promising to use "any weapon in its arsenal" to protect its interests in case of an aggressive attack.
Pakistan is not widely suspected of either producing biological weapons or having an offensive biological programme. Pakistan has ratified the Geneva Protocol, the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention).