Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday expressed
concern over what it described as "discrimination" in nuclear
export control regimes, saying it would never accept
discriminatory treatment or any effort to "undermine" its
strategic deterrence.
A meeting of the National Command Authority, which was
chaired by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, said "policies
and trends of selectivity, exceptionalism and discrimination"
in strategic export control regimes "undermine the credibility
of the existing non-proliferation regime".
The meeting, which was attended by key federal
ministers and the three service chiefs, decided that "Pakistan
will never accept discriminatory treatment" in nuclear issues
and would reject "any effort to undermine its strategic
deterrence".
Pakistan has repeatedly expressed concern at growing
civil nuclear cooperation between India and the US and other
Western countries.
It has called on the US to give it access to nuclear
technology and to adopt a "non-discriminatory" approach for
strategic export control regimes.
The US and other Western powers have so far ruled out
a civil nuclear deal for Pakistan due to concerns about the
clandestine proliferation ring run by disgraced scientist AQ
Khan.
A statement issued by the military after the meeting
of the National Command Authority, which controls the
country's nuclear arsenal, said: "Pakistan will not be a party
to any approach that is prejudicial to its legitimate national
security interests".
The meeting reviewed recent global and regional
developments and their implications for Pakistan's national
security.
The NCA said discriminatory policies related to
strategic export control regimes are "detrimental" to
international peace and security and are "inconsistent with
the national laws and international obligations".
In an apparent reference to recent civil nuclear deals
inked by India with countries like France, the statement said:
"Revisionism based on strategic, political or commercial
considerations accentuates asymmetries and would perpetuate
instability, especially in South Asia".
The NCA claimed "peace and security are indivisible"
and the goals of non-proliferation "could only be advanced by
ensuring equal and undiminished security for all states".
It added: "Regional balance and strategic stability in
South Asia are indispensable for peace, sustained development
and prosperity for the region and beyond".
As a nuclear weapon state, Pakistan is "fully
cognizant of its responsibilities" and has established
"effective and robust command and control structures and
comprehensive export control and regulatory regimes," the
statement said.
These measures are "fully compatible" with
international best practices and global regimes, it added.
The NCA said Pakistan shares the goals of
non-proliferation and is "prepared to work with other nuclear
powers on an equal footing to advance these goals".
As a state with advanced nuclear technology, Pakistan
is prepared to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear technology
under the appropriate IAEA framework, the NCA said.
The NCA also expressed satisfaction at the development
and effectiveness of Pakistan's strategic deterrence.
"It reaffirmed that all requisite steps will be taken
to ensure Pakistan's national security and to maintain
credible deterrence," the statement said.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 23:12