LONDON (TIP): The threat to Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is from within the Pakistani army and there’s no way external powers can destroy or seize these as long as Islamabad doesn’t make the mistake of attacking India, writes MIT-educated Pakistani nuclear scientist Pervez Hoodbhoy in his book, “Confronting the Bomb” . Hoodbhoy writes that Pakistani army insiders in collusion with an external Islamic group could be plotting to appropriate nuclear assets, unknown to authorities entrusted with protecting these.

In February 2000, Pervez Musharraf, then chief of army staff and head of Pakistan government, created a nuclear command,which included a strategic plans division (SPD),which has physical custody of the weapons. Hoodbhoy argues, “Whatever the procedures and equipment Pakistan may adopt.