US President Donald Trump’s claim that Pakistan is testing nuclear weapons sparks global alarm, raising fears of regional instability, nuclear escalation, and severe consequences for a crisis-ridden Pakistan already battling economic turmoil, terrorism, and religious extremism.
In a stunning revelation that has sent shockwaves across global diplomatic and security circles, former US President Donald Trump claimed during a recent interview that Pakistan is conducting nuclear weapons tests — a statement that, if true, poses a serious threat to international peace and security.
The controversial comment came during Trump’s appearance on CBS News’ 60 Minutes on Sunday, where he alleged that several nations, including Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan, have been carrying out nuclear tests in secret.
“Russia’s testing, and China’s testing, but they don’t talk about it. You know, we’re an open society. We talk about it. We have to talk about it, because otherwise, you people are gonna report – they don’t have reporters that gonna be writing about it. We do. No, we’re gonna test, because they test and others test. And certainly North Korea’s been testing. Pakistan’s been testing,” Trump said, according to CBS News.
Though no official or public records have confirmed Pakistan’s alleged nuclear testing activities, Trump’s remark has intensified concerns among defense analysts and policymakers worldwide.
Unverified but Dangerous Implications
The claim is particularly alarming given Pakistan’s fragile internal state. With a collapsing economy, growing militancy, and the resurgence of extremist religious factions, the idea of Islamabad secretly testing nuclear weapons could destabilize the region even further.
Trump suggested that such tests were likely taking place “way underground where people don’t know exactly what’s happening,” adding that “you feel a little bit of a vibration.”
These comments have reignited speculation around alleged past nuclear-related activity in Pakistan’s Kirana Hills region near the Sargodha Air Base — long rumored to house underground missile and nuclear facilities.
Operation Sindoor: Fact or Fiction?
During the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Operation Sindoor, there were unconfirmed reports suggesting India might have conducted precision strikes targeting suspected nuclear storage sites in the Kirana Hills.
Social media posts and some independent online “analysts” claimed that explosions in the area triggered seismic tremors equivalent to a magnitude 4.0 earthquake, allegedly captured by satellite thermal imagery. Some even speculated that US and Egyptian aircraft were monitoring nuclear containment efforts in the region.
However, Indian authorities, including senior IAF officials, categorically denied any such strike or knowledge of a nuclear facility in the area. No credible geological or military evidence supports claims that any seismic activity resulted from explosions or human interference.
Global Fallout of a Potential Nuclear Escalation
If Pakistan is indeed testing nuclear weapons — even sub-critical or experimental tests — it would mark a significant breach of global non-proliferation norms and sharply heighten regional tensions, especially with neighboring India and other nuclear powers.
Such a move could trigger a renewed arms race in South Asia and invite severe diplomatic and economic backlash from the global community, including sanctions and isolation.
Observers warn that in a country where military influence often overshadows civilian governance, any initiative from an “ambitious” general seeking to project power through nuclear brinkmanship could have catastrophic consequences for Pakistan itself.
Pakistan’s last officially acknowledged nuclear test took place in May 1998, in response to India’s Pokhran-II tests earlier that month. Since then, Islamabad has maintained an official position of restraint but readiness, while continuing to modernize its nuclear arsenal.
Parallel Developments in Other Nations
Trump’s claims also extend to other global powers. Russia’s last known nuclear detonation was in 1990, though it has conducted sub-critical experiments since. Moscow recently tested the Burevestnik — a nuclear-powered cruise missile — which some analysts believe has reignited Trump’s interest in nuclear testing.
China, meanwhile, has not officially tested a nuclear device since 1996, and North Korea’s last full-scale test occurred in 2017. Yet, just before Trump’s recent visit to South Korea, Seoul reported detecting multiple short-range ballistic missile launches from southern Pyongyang — signaling renewed defiance from Kim Jong Un’s regime.
Rising Global Anxiety
Trump’s offhand remark has once again thrust nuclear security into the global spotlight. If verified, Pakistan’s alleged nuclear activities could be one of the most dangerous developments in recent years, threatening not only South Asia’s stability but also global non-proliferation efforts.
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As experts call for urgent verification and diplomatic restraint, the world watches anxiously — for even an underground tremor could signal a geopolitical earthquake.
