NCA meeting approves Convention on Physical Protection of N-material

Emphasises resolution of all disputes through dialogue 

ISLAMABAD: The National Command Authority (NCA) on Wednesday approved the inter-agency process to ratify the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Amended) by Pakistan.

The NCA reiterated its determination to take all possible measures to make national security robust, enabling it to effectively respond to the threats to national security without indulging in an arms race.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), this reiteration was expressed at the 22nd meeting of the NCA that was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

The meeting was attended by the federal ministers of defence, finance and interior, adviser to the prime minister for foreign affairs, special assistant to the prime minister for foreign affairs, chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, services chiefs, director general Strategic Plans Division and other senior officials.

The meeting undertook a comprehensive review of the prevailing regional and international security environment. The NCA took note of the growing conventional and strategic weapons development in the region. It expressed serious concerns over the adverse ramifications for peace and security on this account.

Reiterating that nuclear deterrence is the factor of stability in South Asia, the NCA expressed the resolve to maintain full spectrum deterrence in line with the policy of credible minimum deterrence. Acknowledging the services and professionalism displayed by the scientists and engineers, the NCA congratulated them for the recent successful tests of various ballistic and cruise missile systems.

The NCA also took a comprehensive review of the security and safety mechanism of the nuclear programme and expressed deep satisfaction on the measures in place to ensure highly effective security of strategic assets and installations.

The NCA reposed full confidence in the reliable command and control system of the national strategic capability and appreciated the high standard of operational preparedness of the strategic forces.

The authority re-emphasised Pakistan’s desire for establishing the Strategic Restraint Regime in South Asia and the inescapable need of a meaningful and sustained comprehensive dialogue process for resolution of all outstanding disputes ushering in an era of peace and prosperity in the region. It noted with satisfaction that Pakistan has the requisite credentials that entitle it to become part of all multilateral export control regimes including the Nuclear Suppliers Group for which Pakistan seeks adoption of a non-discriminatory approach.

The NCA was also briefed on the final Nuclear Security Summit scheduled to be held in Washington, DC. Details of inter-agency process to ratify the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Amended) by Pakistan were also presented to the NCA. The NCA gave approval in principle for its ratification.

It was reaffirmed that as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan would continue to contribute meaningfully towards the global efforts to improve nuclear security and nuclear non-proliferation measures.