ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has said that it is committed not to transfer nuclear weapons to other states or assist others to acquire nuclear weapons.
“Pakistan’s Policy Guidelines on Strategic Export Controls require requisite safeguards on all relevant material in a recipient state,” the advisor on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz said on Friday while briefing the media about Pakistan’s application for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in Islamabad.
The advisor said that this implies comprehensive safeguards requirement for all states which have a legal obligation to apply such safeguards.
Sartaj Aziz said that Pakistan has also consistently supported the goal of a nuclear weapons free world through the commencement of negotiations on nuclear disarmament at the Conference on Disarmament.
It may also be noted that the measures put in place by Pakistan are consistent with the Articles I, III.2 and VI of NPT as well as the objectives that the NSG has sought to promote.
The advisor said that Pakistan submitted its formal application for NSG membership on May 19, which is based on: (i) desire to strengthen global non-proliferation regimes; (ii) the need for strategic stability and level playing field in South Asia; (iii) our priority for socio-economic development and technological advancement of the country; and (iv) capability to supply items on NSG lists Part 1 and 2.
Sartaj Aziz said that we hope that on the question of Pakistan’s NSG membership, established NSG procedures and modalities for discussions would not be bypassed, once again, to rush a country-specific waiver that disregards non-proliferation objectives.
The foreign affairs advisor said that Pakistan’s membership will further NSG non-proliferation objectives by the inclusion of a state with nuclear supply capabilities and its adherence to NSG Guidelines and best practices on supply of controlled items, goods, materials, technologies and services.
The advisor said that Pakistan is confident of the merits of its membership application.
“Our export controls are fully harmonized with those of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Australia Group. We have taken extensive measures to strengthen nuclear safety and security. More recently, Pakistan has taken three significant steps i.e. (i) public statement on nuclear test moratorium, (ii) ratification of the 2005 amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and (iii) declaring adherence to NSG Guidelines,” he said.
In addition, he said that Pakistan will continue to project its solid credentials based on its technical experience, capability and well-established commitment to non-proliferation, nuclear safety and security.
“We are formally inviting NSG Troika to visit Pakistan for a detailed briefing on our credentials,” Sartaj Aziz said.
Moreover, he said that we welcome any opportunity to engage bilaterally with interested NSG countries for a detailed presentation on the merits of our application.
