ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has submitted its formal application for membership of the Nuclear Supplies Group (NSG), Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said on Friday.
In a letter addressed to the NSG chairman, the Pakistani ambassador in Vienna stated that the decision to seek participation in the export control regime reflected Pakistan’s strong support for international efforts to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.
Pakistan had the expertise, manpower, infrastructure, as well as the ability to supply NSG controlled items, goods and services for a full range of nuclear applications for peaceful uses, the letter read.
The country attached high priority to nuclear safety and security. It had taken legal, regulatory and administrative measures to bring nuclear safety and security at par with international standards, it added.
The Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan’s export control regime was underpinned by strong legislation, regulatory and enforcement mechanisms.
He said Islamabad had informed the International Atomic Energy Agency of Pakistan’s adherence to the objectives of NSG and its decision to act in accordance with NSG guidelines with regard to transfer of nuclear material, equipment and related technology.
Pakistan had stressed the need for NSG to adopt a non-discriminatory criteria-based approach for NSG membership of the countries, which have never been party to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he added.
Zakaria saud Pakistan’s NSG membership will further NSG non-proliferation objectives by the inclusion of a state with nuclear supply capabilities and its adherence to NSG guidelines and best practices on supply of controlled items, goods, materials, technologies and services.
