Nuclear deterrence has been the bedrock of strategic stability in South Asia since the nuclearization of Pakistan and India. The nuclear tests conducted by both states not only changed the dynamics of regional security but also raised questions about the long-term stability of a region characterized by territorial disputes, historical animosities, and an arms race.

For Pakistan, nuclear deterrence is not a policy choice but rather a strategic imperative aimed at counterbalancing the conventional superiority of India and maintaining peace through the credible threat of retaliation. However, the interplay of nuclear deterrence and strategic stability in South Asia is fraught with complexities since it is affected by asymmetric warfare, doctrinal developments, and geopolitical factors on the external plane. This article explores the concept of nuclear deterrence in South Asia, exclusively focusing on Pakistan’s approach to maintaining strategic stability and addressing the challenges posed by evolving regional dynamics.

Pakistan’s journey towards nuclear capability is deeply rooted in its geopolitical realities. Since its independence in 1947, Pakistan has had to face a hostile neighbor, India. This resentment also led to many conflicts over the Kashmir dispute. In 1974, India’s nuclear test, “Smiling Buddha,” signaled a significant escalation in the security rivalry between both neighbors. To create the balance of power in the region, Pakistan accelerated its nuclear program with full might under the leadership of then Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar........

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