Islamabad (Web Desk): Adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to not transfer weapons of mass destruction to state or non-state actors.
While addressing at a regional seminar in Islamabad, on the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540, Sartaj added that as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan will continue to partner with international community to prevent non-state actors from acquiring these weapons, said a press release.
As demonstration of this commitment, Pakistan has taken a wide range of legal, regulatory, organizational and enforcement measures which have been reported through four national reports. Holding of this seminar was another manifestation of this commitment.
The Adviser underscored the need for striking a balance between advancing the goals of non-proliferation and facilitating access of developing countries to strategic and dual use goods, materials and technologies for peaceful purposes under appropriate safeguards. In this regard, the Adviser expressed Pakistan’s willingness to share its expertise and provision of technical assistance to developing countries in the region and beyond.
Sartaj underlined that states which posses advanced capabilities should have an equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to the export control governance architecture. In this context, he highlighted Pakistan’s strong credentials and expertise to become member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), while emphasizing the need for a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory criteria for the Group’s membership of non-NPT applicants.
