Pakistan 'is building a new nuclear reactor'

Satellite images show Pakistan is building a nuclear reactor that could be used to produce weapons-grade plutonium, a US control agency said.

According to the International Institute of Security Science (ISIS), photos taken earlier this month show work "is underway quickly". ISIS warns that this construction plan could contribute to the creation of a new nuclear arms race with neighboring India.

Pakistan insists it is not surprising that the country implements its nuclear program.(Photo: VNN)

However, Pakistani officials insist there is nothing wrong with this work.

ISIS said the reactor is under construction in Khusab, 160km southwest of Islamabad. The institute said construction work and other nuclear-related activities "showed" Pakistan had chosen "to significantly increase the production of plutonum for nuclear weapons".

ISIS said the evidence from recent photographs shows that most of the work at the site was done within the past 10 months. The first reactor at Khusab began operation in 1998 while construction in the second reactor was conducted in July 2006.

Also according to ISIS, the third furnace is being built a few hundred meters from campus 2 and appears to be a " copy ".

ISIS reported earlier this year that Pakistan had also resumed construction of its second plutonium separation facility in Chashma, 80km from Khusab. Most likely the plan is related to the expansion at Khusab.

The report - co-authored by former UN arms inspector David Albright - said the reactors as well as the plutonium separator were not monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Pakistan may have decided to produce "a new generation of plutonium weapons" to make lighter explosives for low-range nuclear warheads, or to upgrade weapons aimed at Indian cities. Degree.

The report also said that most of Pakistan's nuclear weapons use high-enriched uranium.

ISIS also accused the United States of not complaining about the reactor work for fear of offending a key ally in the "war on terror"."The bottom line for us is that the US has not acted strongly enough to prevent such countries from expanding their nuclear activities. They turn a blind eye," said Mr Albright.

However, Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tasnim Aslam said "it is not surprising" that Pakistan is implementing its nuclear program."We are a nuclear weapons country. We have facilities in Khushab, so this is not surprising to anyone."

Ms. Aslam dismissed speculation that the activity could lead to a new arms race.

Thanh Hao