Pakistan seeks civil nuclear technology from US

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has said that it has all the rights to join the all exclusive Nuclear Suppliers Group. The country desperately needs the technology to apply in various fields, including agriculture, medicine and as a useful source of energy, said Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.
In a briefing on Wednesday at the Embassy, the Foreign Secretary said that the point was reiterated to Americans in a firm manner, and the joint statement issued after the working group meeting reflects that the US recognizes Pakistan’s efforts in safeguarding its assets as a responsible state. “As a responsible state, we comply with our obligations, and we believe that Pakistan has taken all possible measures to ensure the basic objective of the 1540 committee,” he said expelling that the objective of the committee was to make sure that effective steps are taken to stop nuclear terrorism. He said Pakistan has impeccable methods to in nuclear security and participates in nuclear summit process.
The lengthy joint statement also indicated thoughtful differences on various issues, including the FMCT (Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty), NPT and CTBT. Aizaz Chaudhry said that Pakistan argued for a broader Fissile Material Treaty instead of the existing one. He explained that the proposed version of FMT would allow country with stockpiles to become a member as well and provide a ‘level playing field’. He also called NPT a discriminatory treaty, and repeated that the country will not become a member of it.
Answering a question, the foreign secretary elaborated that Pakistan was in the process of installing ‘radiation portals’ on its some 72 entry-exit points. “This is our commitment towards non-proliferation and these detectors will check on radiation-infused materials are not traded anyway,” he said. Pakistan as a member of the CWC, and BWC - that aims to abolish all such weapons from the world till 2025 - partners with other countries to identify such toxic chemicals and keep check on their trade or unlawful exchange as well. Pakistan will participate in the 2016 convention as well to encourage further cooperation and coordination.
The foreign secretary led delegation also had meetings with other US department officials. The delegation met Deputy National Security Adviser Avril Haines at the White House and reviewed the entire gamut of Pakistan US relationship.
The delegation also visited Pentagon to meet US Defense Undersecretary Christine Wormuth. During the meeting, both sides discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral defense cooperation.
Aizaz Chaudhry told the media that the issues relating to combating terrorism and renewed relationship with Afghanistan were raised. The Americans were told that there was no distinction between good or bad terrorists. “It’s the government’s resolve to eliminate all terrorist groups. They are a collective enemy, and prime minister has clearly stated that enemies of Afghanistan will not be friends of Pakistan.
These terrorists are outlawed and hunted down,” the foreign secretary said.He said that Daesh does not exist in the country and any links to that group will not be tolerated. It was made clear to Americans that terrorists were a common enemy and Pakistan will work with all countries to eliminate the menace.