Indeed, the presence of jihadist groups has implications for nuclear safety:
%u2022 There are signs that religious extremist organisations in Pakistan have nuclear ambitions (although there is no evidence that al-Qaida or its associated groups operating in the region have made any progress on acquiring nuclear expertise). %u2022 There is nuclear infrastructure in the North-west Frontier Province, which is ruled by conservative religious political parties and is adjacent to tribal areas where the Taliban are strong and al-Qaida have a presence. %u2022 Two suicide bombings in July hit an area in Islamabad close to important nuclear facilities.
The US-based Institute for Science and International Security in 2006 claimed that Pakistan is developing a large nuclear facility at Khushab (in Punjab) that will be able to produce enough plutonium to make 40 to 50 nuclear weapons per year. This has been disputed by government sources in Islamabad and Washington, but it is known that Pakistan is heavily investing in the nuclear sector.
While this reflects military objectives -- Pakistan is particularly keen to acquire the second strike capability which it currently lacks -- it is also to meet energy demands. Pakistan faces acute electricity shortages (which earlier this year led to serious protests) and hopes to substantially increase its nuclear energy generating capacity from around 19,500 megawatts per year.
A lack of certainty about the extent and nature of earlier proliferation activity makes
