Pakistan urges ‘comprehensive’ approach to curb small arms’ trade

Ambassador Raza Bashi Tarar says his government has taken several steps to promote implementation of UN programme. PHOTO: FILE

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has underscored the need for a “comprehensive and integrated” approach to regulate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, which kill more than half a million people each year, with a particularly heavy toll on civilians.

Speaking at the Second Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons on Monday, Ambassador Raza Bashi Tarar, Pakistan’s acting permanent representative to the UN, said that his government had taken several steps to promote implementation of the programme aimed at tackling the illegal trade in these weapons.

The Programme of Action, which countries adopted by consensus in 2001, contains concrete recommendations for improving national legislation and controls over illicit small arms, fostering regional cooperation and promoting international assistance and cooperation on the issue.