‘Pakistan has credentials, expertise to join NSG’

• Sartaj demands transparent, non-discriminatory criteria for nuclear group’s membership; Adviser says Pakistan not to shift WMDs to states, non-state actors

Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said that Pakistan has strong credentials and expertise to become member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), emphasising the need for a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory criteria for the group’s membership of non-NPT applicants.

In a keynote address at a seminar on the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 1540, he said that as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan would continue to partner with the international community to prevent non-state actors from acquiring these weapons.

He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment not to transfer weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) to states or non-state actors. As demonstration of this commitment, Pakistan has taken a wide range of legal, regulatory, organisational and enforcement measures which have been reported through four national reports. Holding of this seminar was another manifestation of this commitment, he pointed out.

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, he 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 emphasising the need for a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory criteria for the group’s membership of non-NPT applicants.

The two-day regional seminar, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, brings together 13 countries from South and Central Asia, China, Russia, representatives of the 1540 committee group of experts and international organisations including the IAEA, OPCW and Interpol.