Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Monday said Pakistan’s nuclear policy rests on the twin pillars of restraint and responsibility and is exclusively geared towards maintaining strategic stability in South Asia.
In a meeting with his Austrian counterpart Secretary General Dr Michael Linhart at the Federal Ministry of Europe, Integration and Foreigns Affairs in Vienna, Aizaz said Pakistan has taken extensive measures in the areas of nuclear safety and security, export controls and command and control.
The foreign secretary briefed Austria on notable gains achieved by Pakistan in its counter-terrorism campaign.
He also briefed Linhart on Pakistan’s positive role in bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan as well as efforts to facilitate the Afghan government’s reconciliation efforts with the Afghan Taliban.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and emphasised the need for enhanced trade and investment. They also discussed matters of mutual interest including migration, human rights and cooperation in multilateral fora.
Aizaz extended an invitation to Linhart to visit Islamabad, which was accepted.
Aizaz also told Director General International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Yukiya Amano that Pakistan accords the highest importance to nuclear safety and security and is fully meeting its obligations in this regard, Radio Pakistan reported.
The Foreign Secretary appreciated IAEA’s unique role in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear technology through its Technical Cooperation Programme.
Amano expressed satisfaction on the implementation of IAEA Safeguards in Pakistan and appreciated the country’s nuclear safety and security record.
