ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has significantly improved its ranking in the Nuclear Security Index 2023, according to a report issued by a nuclear watchdog. The country has shown notable progress in securing weapons-usable nuclear materials, surpassing India, Iran, and several other nations.
The Nuclear Security Index 2023 revealed that Pakistan has enhanced its overall score by 3 points since 2020, reaching a score of 49. In contrast, India’s score remained unchanged at 40, while Iran experienced a decline of three points, reaching a score of 29.
The 2023 NTI Index incorporates a separate assessment on Radioactive Source Security, which evaluates national policies, commitments, and actions across 175 countries and Taiwan to ensure the security of radioactive sources and prevent the threat of a dirty bomb. The assessment does not provide rankings or scores for countries and regions.
Significance of Nuclear Security Index
The NTI Index is a groundbreaking evaluation of nuclear security conditions worldwide. Developed in partnership with Economist Impact (EI), it utilizes publicly available information to monitor advancements in nuclear and radiological security across different countries.
Pakistan excelled in various categories within the index, achieving a score of 100 in Domestic Commitments and Capacity, 57 in Security and Control Measures, 44 in Global Norms, and 19 in Quantities and Sites.
In terms of the overall security of materials, Australia claimed the top position, followed by Switzerland and Canada in the second and third spots, respectively.
The improved ranking in the Nuclear Security Index reflects Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing its nuclear security measures and ensuring the safe handling of weapons-usable nuclear materials.
