Pakistan calls for equitable approach to NSG membership

Pakistan on Thursday presented strong arguments for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) at the UN Security Council. Speaking in a debate on "Preventing catastrophe: A global agenda for stopping the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction by non-State actors," Pakistan's senior diplomat underscored Pakistan's commitment to its non-proliferation obligations, including steps taken for 1540 resolution implementation.
While calling for an equitable, non-discriminatory and criteria-based approach to promote civil nuclear co-operation and membership of export controls regimes, in particular that of the NSG, Pakistani envoy warned that the grant of waivers to long-held non-proliferation norms and rules carries "obvious proliferation risks" and also "undermines regional strategic stability".
Pakistan's Acting Permanent Representative, Nabeel Munir said that Pakistan has been a consistent supporter of the objectives of Resolution 1540 and committed to its implementation. "It is in the interest of all states to prevent proliferation of WMDs to states as well as non-state actors", he added. Munir underscored Pakistan's commitment to its non-proliferation obligations and highlighted steps taken for implementation of Resolution 1540.
Pakistan, he said, has submitted four national implementation reports. "Our fifth report on 1540 implementation will be submitted shortly. We are also organising a Regional Seminar in February 2017 on promoting its better implementation at the regional level," he added. Pakistani envoy told the 15-member Council that Pakistan has elaborated and implemented a comprehensive export control regime, fully harmonised with those of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Australia Group. "We have also declared voluntary adherence to NSG Guidelines", he added.
Pakistan, he said was not only participating in the IAEA's Incident and Trafficking Database but also actively participated in and contributed to the NSS process.
He referred to Pakistan's ratification of the 2005 amendment to the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) and declaring adherence to NSG Guidelines as among the recent steps taken by Pakistan. Munir said that Pakistan has been an active partner of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) since its inception in 2007, and has contributed to the development of its guidelines.
He also told the Security Council that Pakistan has declared a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing and have offered to translate this into a bilateral arrangement on non-testing with India. Pakistan called for closer co-operation between the Council and international and regional organisations to co-ordinate activities, to avoid duplication and focus on the most important areas.