Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday pressed its
demand for an atomic deal similar to the one granted to India
by the US, saying the security of its strategic assets and
growing energy needs qualify it for "civil nuclear cooperation
at the international level".
"Having more than 35 years (of) experience of
operating nuclear power plants, highly trained manpower and a
well established safety and security culture, Pakistan fully
qualifies for equal participation in civil nuclear cooperation
at the international level," an official statement said.
The statement was issued after Prime Minister Yousuf
Raza Gilani chaired a meeting of the National Command
Authority, the body comprising civil and military officials
that controls Pakistan's nuclear assets.
It was the second meeting of the NCA chaired by Gilani
since President Asif Ali Zardari handed over control of the
body to the premier last year.
Nuclear safety and security and safeguards are
"vehicles for facilitating international civil nuclear
cooperation", the statement said.
"The objectives of non-proliferation and nuclear
safety and security can be promoted through a non-
discriminatory approach for international cooperation in the
peaceful uses of nuclear energy," it added.
Pakistan raised its demand for a civil nuclear deal
similar to the one granted to India during its strategic
dialogue with the US last month.
Unlike in the past, the US did not completely rule out
the possibility of such a deal though Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton warned such pacts do not happen "easily or
quickly".
Pakistan has been demanding a nuclear deal with the US
similar to the one Washington has with India. But, the US has
been taking the demand coolly due to proliferation concerns
mainly arising out of AQ Khan's links with countries like
North Korea and Iran.
The meeting of the NCA reviewed policies and measures
put in place for the safety and security of nuclear materials
and facilities and expressed "full confidence in the
arrangements for custodial controls and safety and security of
Pakistan's strategic assets and the effectiveness of
Pakistan's strategic deterrence", the statement said.
The NCA said that Pakistan, "as a nuclear weapon state
with advanced nuclear technology and expertise", is fully
cognizant of its responsibilities.
"The nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation
measures put in place by Pakistan were supported by extensive
legislative, regulatory and administrative framework," it
said.
While expressing confidence in indigenous knowhow and
technology to maintain nuclear safety and security systems,
Pakistan will continue to benefit "from IAEA's relevant
programmes on nuclear security, consistent with national
policies and interests".
The NCA also said that Pakistan's socio-economic
development depends on its ability to meet rapidly expanding
energy requirements.
"There was a need to explore all options to ensure a
reliable energy mix. Civil nuclear power generation was
therefore an essential part of the national energy security
strategy," the statement said.
PTI
First Published: Monday, April 05, 2010, 21:20