ISLAMABAD – Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua says Pakistan remains fullycommitted to objectives of non-proliferation and disarmament.
She was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day internationalseminar on ‘The present and future of strategic export controls’ inIslamabad on Wednesday.
She said Pakistan shares the global concerns on the proliferation ofweapons of mass destruction, and the threat it poses to international peaceand security.
Foreign Secretary said we recognize the necessity of exercising effectivecontrol on transfers of sensitive goods and technologies to prevent theirmisuse and divergence.
At the same time, all states have legitimate interest in accessing dual usetechnologies for genuine socio-economic development needs.
She said Pakistan takes its international commitments to non-proliferationvery seriously and is fully implementing its obligations as a state partyto various international instruments.
Tehmina Janjua said Pakistan is actively participating in global initiativeto combat nuclear terrorism.
She said Pakistan’s export control regime is consistent with the standardsfollowed by Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regimeand the Australia Group.
She said elements of nuclear safety in Pakistan include robust command andcontrol system led by National Command Authority, rigorous regulatoryregime, comprehensive export control regime and international cooperation.
She said Pakistan has declared voluntary adherence to guidelines of NuclearSuppliers Group.
She said Pakistan has sent application for the group’s membership which isbased on merit and grounded on sound technical capabilities.
Tehmina Janjua said Pakistan’s nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Pakistan has a long tradition of international scientific collaboration andit is the first country to gain associate membership of CERN in our region.
Pakistan’s participation will further the NSG’s objectives.
Later, Director General of Strategic Export Control Division, Ministry ofForeign Affairs Zafar Ali while talking to Radio Pakistan said Pakistan isa responsible country and has a strategic export control system in order toavoid the danger of proliferation to any non-state actors.