Pakistan sustained its nuclear programme despite economic turmoil: top U.S. intelligence official tells Congress

Pakistan's nuclear modernisation efforts continue amid economic turmoil, driven by its contentious relationship with India.

Pakistan sustained its nuclear modernisation efforts last year despite its economic turmoil as its contentious relationship with India continues to drive its defence policy, the top U.S. intelligence official told Congress.

The remarks by Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Director of the Defence Intelligence Agency, came during a Congressional hearing on China on April 15.

Lt. Gen. Kruse told lawmakers that Pakistan has sought international support, including from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), to resolve its dispute with India about Kashmir. Separately, Islamabad and New Delhi have maintained an uneasy ceasefire along the shared Line of Control (LoC) since February 2021, he said.

“Pakistan has sustained its nuclear modernisation efforts despite its economic turmoil. Terrorist violence against Pakistani security forces and civilians also rose last year,” he said.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Pakistan is reported to have 170 nuclear warheads as of January 2023.

Cash-strapped Pakistan is banking on close allies like China and Saudi Arabia for loans to tide over its economic woes. Moreover, Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb is now in Washington to discuss a new loan package with the International Monetary Fund.

Pakistan's contentious relationship with India continues to drive its defence policy, Lt. Gen. Kruse told top American lawmakers.