Pakistan builds third nuclear reactor

PAKISTAN appears to be building a third plutonium nuclear reactor to significantly boost its production of atomic bombs, a US research group said.

Satellite images show work progressing rapidly at Khusab, 100km from Islamabad, where the other two reactors are sited, the Institute for Science and International Security said yesterday.

Pakistan carried out its only nuclear tests in May 1998 after similar detonations by rival India, alarming the world. The Islamic republic is a key ally in the US-led “war on terror”.

The construction work would “imply that Pakistan’s government has made a decision to increase significantly its production of plutonium for nuclear weapons”, the institute said.

“Almost all of the third reactor construction visible in the June 3 image has taken place in the last 10 months.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the report was based on speculation.

A Pakistani defence source said there was “an expansion programme in Khusab” but would not give any other details.

Another government official defended Pakistan’s right to a defensive atomic programme.

“The nuclear programme is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s national defence strategy,” the official said on condition of anonymity.