Govt revises export control regime

Pakistan has formally notified revised National Control Lists under the Export Control Act, 2004, updating the items that require prior export licensing as part of a continuing effort to align domestic regulations with evolving international non-proliferation standards.

According to an official notification, issued under the Export Control on Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Act, 2004, the updated lists mandate export licences from the Strategic Export Control Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Foreign Ministry notification, the revised Control Lists were published in the Gazette of Pakistan through S.R.O. 1977(I)/2025 dated October 13, 2025, and have been made available on the Strategic Export Control Division's official website for public access and compliance guidance.

"In exercise of the powers under the Export Control on Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Act, 2004 (SECA-2004), the Government of Pakistan has notified the updated National Control Lists of items requiring an export licence from the Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV), Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the notification said.

"The updated lists have been published in the Gazette of Pakistan vide S.R.O. 1977(I)/2025, dated 13 October 2025, and are available on the website: www.secdiv.gov.pk," it added.

First introduced in 2005 and revised multiple times since, the latest update reflects continued harmonisation with regimes including the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime and the Australia Group, following consultations with relevant ministries to maintain effective, internationally aligned export controls.

"This notification underscores Pakistan's resolve to further strengthen its export control regime and reaffirms its role as a responsible technology-holder state, firmly committed to the objectives of non-proliferation and the fulfilment of its international obligations," the notification stated.