ABSTRACT
This chapter explains Pakistan's gradual drift toward nuclearization with specific reference to four interrelated factors: strategic doctrine, India's posture toward Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of its nuclear explosions, reaction of the international community to India's nuclear explosions, especially the nonavailability of credible security guarantees and material incentives, and the domestic political context. Pakistani domestic politics were significantly altered by the decision to test. If Pakistan was to face hardships and uncertainties anyway, nuclear testing offered an opportunity to rectify the strategic imbalance in the region and restore minimal deterrence, which it viewed as critical to its security. India's nuclear testing generated an intense debate in Pakistan on its options. Newspapers and magazines offered editorials and published articles, comments, and letters from the readers on the topic. In addition, various nongovernmental organizations, political forums, political parties held seminars and meetings on this question and the leading political leaders issued statements, all of which were widely reported in the press.
