Nawaz Sharif speaking at UN meeting on nuclear disarmament in New York. PHOTO: ONLINE
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called on the international community to renew the global consensus on nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and promotion of cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Speaking at a high-level UN General Assembly meeting on nuclear disarmament, the prime minister said, “Thirty-five years ago, this august Assembly reached a consensus on the mandate and machinery to pursue the disarmament agenda. With the passage of time, regrettably, this consensus has eroded; and the goals set have become elusive.”
He said that a consensus should be based on equity, balance, restraint and cooperation among all states. He also called on the General Assembly to convene a special session in this regard.
He called for an end to nuclear discrimination as he underscored that such policies have damaged the integrity of treaties and norms of non-proliferation. “Pakistan is committed to the goal of general and complete disarmament, which is global, non-discriminatory and verifiable”, he reiterated.
Outlining the salient features of Pakistan’s nuclear policy, the premier stressed on its guiding principles of restraint and responsibility. He said that Pakistan does not want an arms race in South Asia and the country would therefore continue to adhere to its policy of credible minimum deterrence.
Prime Minister Sharif told the dignitaries at the meeting that he chaired a meeting of the National Command Authority (NCA), which reaffirmed the country’s constructive strategic posture.
In the broader context of energy deficit in Pakistan, he called for the need to acquire energy from all sources, including nuclear. “As Prime Minister, I feel that energy deficit is one of the most serious crises facing Pakistan,” he maintained.
The premier underscored that Pakistan fully qualifies to have full access to civil nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. He said that Pakistan looks forward to international cooperation in nuclear energy under IAEA safeguards.
Apart from several heads of state and government, the UN General Assembly president, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Iranian President Dr Hassan Rouhani, as NAM chairman, delivered statements at the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2013.
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Thank God he included energy crisis in his speech. We are more concerned about economic and terrorism issues. We should put our house right then later we can suggest measures for rest of the world.Nuclear disarmament is important but not for us at the moment where peoples are dying of hunger and bomb blasts,
Good idea.
You can start by adopting no-first-use policy.
I did not see any substance in his speech. Same old boring rhetoric. More than 80 died in a Church blast and more than 300 in earthquake and he is enjoying his time in London and NewYork.
Cliches......... Nuclear disarmament; nothing but a hogwash.
The criticism against the PM is un-called for. He is a prime minister and is representing the country at UN. PTI voter.
Nuclear disarmament and non proliferation? Has he gone bonkers, or he is just trying to talk non issues to divert attention from main topics.
Look who is talking!
What kind of a prime minister is he? People are suffering in Pakistan and he is sitting in New York.
Sad excuse for a Prime minister
While thousands are trapped in Balochistan he is enjoying time in New York.