Pakistan building third nuclear reactor at Khushab

Pakistan is increasing its capacity to produce plutonium at its Khushab nuclear facility by building a third reactor, according to the Ploughshares-funded Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS). David Albright and Paul Brannan, citing new satellite images of the facility, report “the operational status of the second reactor is unknown, but it could start in the near future.” Their recent report stated, “Pakistan’s increase in plutonium production capability stands to accelerate an arms race with India. In the current climate, with Pakistan’s leadership under duress from daily acts of violence by insurgent Taliban forces and organized political opposition, the security of any nuclear material produced in these reactors is in question.”