As per the Nuclear Security Index released by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Pakistan has surpassed India, North Korea, and Iran in effectively managing weapons-usable nuclear materials. Pakistan secured the 19th position out of 22 states, earning a total score of 49, which is higher than India’s score of 40, Iran’s score of 29, and North Korea’s score of 18.
However, the index also raises concerns about the deteriorating global nuclear security landscape. It indicates that several countries with nuclear materials and facilities are experiencing regressions in nuclear security conditions. Notably, eight countries, including Pakistan, have been increasing their stocks of weapons-grade nuclear materials, creating a risk of theft and undermining efforts towards minimizing and eliminating such materials.
The report highlights that some countries are failing to fulfill their commitments to confidence-building and information sharing, which were crucial for progress during the Nuclear Security Summits.
It’s important to note that the ranking is based on data and assessments up to the year 2023 and may not reflect the current state of affairs. Nevertheless, nuclear security remains a critical global concern, and ongoing efforts to address these issues are essential to prevent nuclear proliferation and enhance overall global security.