Pak reactor may fuel arms race: Watchdog

In a move that could threaten the current stability in Indo-Pak relations, an American watchdog on nuclear weapons has said that Pakistan is building a new nuclear reactor with capacity to produce weapons-grade plutonium. The report is based on satellite images.

The reactor is located at the Khushab nuclear site, 170 km from Islamabad, the Institute of Science for International Security (ISIS) has said in its report. It said this could contribute to nuclear arms race between India and Pakistan.

The construction meant Pakistan could "increase significantly its production of plutonium for nuclear weapons," the Washington-based institute said. Almost all the construction for the third reactor visible in the June 3, 2007, image has taken place in the last 10 months.

The Dawn newspaper quoted a senior official of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission as saying they were "extending our infrastructure." The official declined to address the details of the report.

"We are a declared nuclear state and we are pursuing our nuclear programme for peaceful purposes," said the official. "We are doing it for our national interests," he added.

The watchdog's report, authored by former UN inspector David Albright, said Pakistan might have decided to produce more plutonium for lighter warheads for cruise missiles or to upgrade weapons aimed at Indian cities.

"When the reactors come on line, Pakistan's demand for reprocessing capacity will increase significantly. The expanded construction at Khushab, and apparent resumption of activity at the Chashma plutonium separation plant, all occurring within the last six years, imply that Pakistan's government has made a decision to increase significantly its production of plutonium for nuclear weapons," the report said.

The Indian foreign office, meanwhile, said it did not want to comment on findings by a non-government organisation.