The heavy water and natural uranium reactors at Khushab are a central element of Pakistan's program to produce plutonium and tritium for use in compact nuclear warheads.

Khushab Nuclear Complex, like that at Kahuta, is not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency inspections.

In total, they are estimated to be capable of producing 44 kilograms (97 lb) of weapons grade plutonium annually.

The Khushab Nuclear Complex was conceived and planned by the then chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), Munir Ahmad Khan, who began work on the 50 MWth Khushab-I reactor and heavy water plant in 1986.

In February 2010 Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and senior military officers attended a ceremony at the Khushab complex for what is believed to be the completion of the second reactor.