Pakistan launches guidelines for implementation of UNSC 1267 Sanctions

ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view that Pakistan has to be mindful of fulfilling its international legal obligations, including the implementation of the United Nations Security Council sanctions which have been adopted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, it launched “Guidelines for the Implementation of the UNSC 1267 Sanctions” on Friday.

As Pakistan comes to grips with terrorism, the government says it is important to further consolidate these gains through full implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP). “The guidelines have been prepared by the national committee for overseeing implementation of sanctions against individuals and entities designated by the UNSC 1267 al-Qaida/Da’esh sanctions regime and Security Council 1988 (Taliban sanctions regime)”, said a statement from the office of Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.

Several Pakistani citizens have been designated by the UNSC 1267 and the government is finally putting its act together as it is also a requirement by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which has put Pakistan on a list of “jurisdictions with strategic deficiencies”, or the Grey List. “Launching the guidelines, Tehmina Janjua underscored that Pakistan had managed to turn the tide in the fight against terrorism for which there were no parallels and expressed hope that the guidelines would assist all stakeholders in better discharging their responsibilities for the effective implementation of the UN sanctions,” added the statement.

A large number of representatives of the federal and provincial governments, including those of financial institutions, law enforcement and other implementing agencies attended the meeting at the Foreign Office on a day when the foreign secretary was leaving office after a brilliant innings as the country’s first woman foreign secretary.

The launch was followed by an interactive session in which Director General (CT) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave a detailed briefing to the participants on the guidelines. “The guidelines have been formulated, in consultation with stakeholders and in compliance with international standards especially the requirements of the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee and the FATF,” says the Foreign Office.

Earlier on March 4, 2019, the federal government had issued the United Nations Security Council (Freezing and Seizure) order, 2019. The guidelines would supplement the order. The Foreign Office also separately conducted an international training workshop on “Evaluation of Physical Protection System” where it was a tribute to Pakistan that IAEA in promoting the cause of nuclear security chose it for the workshop and also ensuring participation of a sizeable number of participants.

“In collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Pakistan Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS), the training event was attended by 18 foreign participants form Belarus, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Romania, Spain, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Four IAEA experts along with PCENS faculty conducted the training,” noted the Foreign Office.

Chairman Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) Zaheer Ayub Baig inaugurated the workshop. Dignitaries from embassies of foreign participants, officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Strategic Plans Division, and representatives of Islamabad based think tanks also attended the Inaugural and closing sessions.

During the closing session, Muhammad Naeem, Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the chief guest, appreciated the efforts of IAEA in promoting the cause of nuclear security by choosing Pakistan for the workshop and ensuring participation of a sizeable number of participants. The participants expressed complete satisfaction of conduct, curriculum of the course and the excellent training facilities provided at the PCENS.

PCENS over the years has evolved into an internationally recognised institution for imparting training in the field of nuclear security and physical protection. It is equipped with state of the art laboratories and other modern training facilities toimpart training in various disciplines.

“Being a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan has evolved effective nuclear security architecture over the years and has also developed substantial capacity of its institutions for imparting nuclear security training,” adds the Foreign Office.