Pakistan’s Nuclear Command Structure
In Pakistan, control over nuclear weapons rests firmly with civilian leadership. The Prime Minister acts as the chairman of the National Command Authority (NCA), which oversees all strategic nuclear decisions.
Who Holds the “Button”
- The Prime Minister legally heads the NCA and makes key decisions regarding nuclear use.
- The President holds no direct control over nuclear weapons.
- Operational control and deployment orders are issued through the NCA.
Checks and Balances
- The NCA was created in 2000 alongside the Strategic Plans Division to centralize command and control.
- It incorporates military advice but civilian leadership retains the final authority.
- Pakistan maintains a doctrine known as “Minimum Credible Deterrence” to deter aggression.
Security in Focus
- Defence officials in India have suggested bringing Pakistan’s arsenal under international supervision, such as the IAEA—but Pakistan is not an NPT signatory, so this remains unlikely.
- The dual-key command system aims for strong safeguard, though experts highlight concerns about insider threats and proliferation risks.
Pakistan’s model places ultimate control over its nuclear arsenal in civilian hands through the NCA, but external oversight remains a challenge due to treaty constraints and geopolitical dynamics.