Pakistan will not transfer weapons of mass destruction to state or non-state actors: Aziz

PM's top aide also explains Pakistan’s strong credentials and expertise to become a member of NSG

ISLAMABAD: 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.

Addressing a two-day regional seminar in the federal capital regarding the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, Aziz sought to prevent non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

"As a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan will continue to partner with the global community to prevent non-state actors from acquiring these weapons," said Aziz.



The adviser underscored the need for striking a balance between advancing the goals of non-proliferation and facilitating access of developing countries to the strategic and dual use of goods, materials and technologies for peaceful purposes.

He expressed Pakistan’s willingness to share its expertise and provision of technical help to developing countries in the region and beyond.

Aziz underscored that states with advanced capabilities should have an equal opportunity to participate and contribute to the export control governance architecture. He also explained Pakistan’s strong credentials and expertise to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) during the seminar, while emphasising the requirement for transparent, objective and non-discriminatory criteria for the group’s membership of non-NPT applicants.



Pakistan took a wide range of legal, regulatory, organisational and enforcement measures, he said, as a demonstration of its commitment and holding this seminar was another manifestation of the same will.

The seminar, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs brings together some 13 countries from South and Central Asia apart from China and Russia. Representatives of the 1540 Committee Group of Experts, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and Interpol were also present.

The seminar aims to promote regional cooperation for effective national implementation of the UNSC Resolution 1540, adopted by the Security Council in 2004. It is one of the important instruments in the global non-proliferation architecture as it seeks to prevent non-state actors from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.