Nuclear material must never fall into wrong hands: Pakistan

Fatemi attends Nuclear Security Summit; stresses vigilance and preparedness; meets British
premier, Chinese foreign minister; highlights Nawaz Sharif’s policy of non-interference, peaceful neighbourhood

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has fully shared the global concern on threat perceptions at the Nuclear Security Summit and emphasised upon the fact that nuclear materials "must never fall into the wrong hands."

Tariq Fatemi – special assistant to the prime minister – highlighted Pakistan's commitment to safeguard nuclear assets at the working dinner hosted by President Obama on Thursday. "Our discussion on threat perceptions is important. Nuclear material must never fall into the wrong hands. This is a global concern which Pakistan fully shares," Fatemi said.

In his remarks, he commended Obama for hosting the event and said the NSS process had contributed significantly to nuclear security. "Valuable ground has been covered in strengthening nuclear security architecture worldwide through national actions and voluntary exchange of experience, expertise and best practices."

He said renewed interest in nuclear energy worldwide implied more nuclear materials and facilities necessitating more preparedness. He noted that it was equally important to remain alive to the potential threat of radiological dispersal devices.

One of the important steps that the United States has proposed is putting up radiation monitoring equipment to combat any possible threat of smuggling or stealing radioactive material. Pakistan has deployed the equipment in sensitive areas around the country and aims to set up on at least 72 exit points.

Pakistan raised a point that the potential threat was not limited to states with significant nuclear programmes. "Radioactive sources are being employed everywhere in the private sector, hospitals, industry, and research," Fatemi said, adding that facilities hosting such materials were often more vulnerable. "There is, therefore, a need for vigilance and preparedness in all places."

He said emergency preparedness and response constituted effective deterrence against malicious acts, which required significant training efforts, including those by nuclear security centres developed by states.

"Pakistan's emergency response mechanism includes a Nuclear Emergency Management System at the national level. A Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Support Centre and a Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Coordination Centre run around the clock," Fatemi informed the delegates.

He also mentioned Pakistan's efforts in keeping its commitment to strengthen global nuclear security architecture.

Earlier in the day, Fatemi held significant meetings with powerful world leaders on the sidelines of the summit. The scheduled bilateral meeting with British National Security Adviser Sir Mark Lyall Grant turned into a call on the British Prime Minister David Cameron who expressed his grief and heartfelt condolences at the loss of precious lives in the Lahore blast.

He offered support and solidarity and termed the enemies of Pakistan as enemies of Britain. He also pledged his country's continued support to strengthen Pakistan’s economy and enhancing bilateral cooperation in security-related matters, including intelligence sharing and counterterrorism.

According to a statement released by the embassy, Fatemi highlighted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s policy of peaceful neighbourhood and non-interference in the region, and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to build a constructive and trust-based relationship with all its neighbours.

He stressed that peace in Afghanistan was vital for the peace and stability of the entire region, and enumerated Pakistan’s contribution towards facilitating an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process. 

Fatemi also met with the Chinese foreign minister who also expressed sadness and deepest condolences at the Lahore incident. They discussed issues pertaining to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.

The statement about the meeting read that the special assistant briefed the Chinese foreign minister on the steps taken by Pakistan for materialising the CPEC-related projects, as well as to provide complete security to those engaged in these projects. Fatemi is heading the Pakistani delegation at the fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit hosted by Obama.