Pakistan hosts Nuclear-Security Training Conference
Pakistan hosts first-ever Nuclear-Security Workshop outside IAEA headquarters.
Dunya News Report (Madiha Fareed)
According to a press release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The annual Meeting of the International Network for Nuclear Security Training and Support Centres (NSSC) was held from 14 -18 March in Islamabad in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Meeting was held for the first time outside IAEA Headquarters.
“NSSC regularly contributes to global efforts for enhancing nuclear security capacity building through an effective and collaborative mechanism”, stated the press release.
Fifty six officials representing 29 countries i.e. Afghanistan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Djibouti, Ecuador, Ghana, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Morocco, Myanmar, Romania, Russia, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Thailand, Indonesia, UK, Ukraine, USA and Vietnam attended the meeting. Officials of the World Institute of Nuclear Security and IAEA also participated in the event.
“Pakistan, being a responsible nuclear state, has evolved effective nuclear security architecture over the years and has developed substantial capacity for nuclear security training”, said the statement.
United States has praised Pakistan nuclear engagement with the IAEA. United States’ Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during a congressional hearing that Pakistan’s nuclear engagement is excellent for safeguarding its nuclear assets.
On the event of sixth ministerial level strategic dialogue between Pakistan and United States, US Secretary of State John Kerry, in his opening remarks, had asked Pakistan to realize that keeping a large nuclear programme “does not make sense” and that Pakistan needs to “process that reality and put it front and centre in its policy”. He also expressed hope that both countries will continue to discuss the obligations of being a responsible nuclear state.
Speculations arose in the media that United States and Pakistan had differences over nuclear security issues and that US was pushing Pakistan to cut down on its nuclear programme. Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told the house that “We have clearly told the US that our nuclear programme is for our own security and it has by and large helped prevent an armed conflict in the region”.
He made the remarks during a debate on the statement of US Secretary of State John Kerry that Pakistan might sell nuclear bombs to Saudi Arabia. Sartaj Aziz denied the speculations and said that Pakistan’s nuclear program is not for sale. He also added that the statement of the US Secretary of State was misquoted by the media.
Sartaj Aziz informed the house that Pakistan will not lend its nuclear technology to any other country. He added that Pakistan s nuclear programme is for its own deterrence and entire world appreciates its impeccable command and control system.
“We enjoy friendly relations with Saudi Arabia, but under no circumstances Pakistan will share its nuclear technology with any other country”, Mr. Aziz informed the house.
Recently, the Marshall Islands filed cases against Pakistan, India and Britain before the International Court of Justice stating that “Pakistan is in breach of its obligation owed to the international community as a whole, when it comes to reducing its nuclear arsenal.” The lawyers informed the court that “even a limited nuclear war involving the two countries would threaten the existence of small Pacific Island nation”, reported the agencies.
It is significant to note that Nuclear Security Summit is scheduled to be held from March 31-April 1 in Washington DC. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had accepted US President Barack Obama’s invitation to attend the summit.
It is indisputably vital for every nation on the earth to process the reality that nuclear weapons symbolize only destruction. In order to ensure a safer future, all nations of the world must come together to get rid of this menace. It is absolutely essential that the possibilities of armed conflicts be minimized and eventually eliminated for human race to progress and prosper.
