- Rocket launch by North Korea is a matter of deep concern:FO Spokesperson
ISLAMABAD, February 12: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said that Pakistan reserves the right to keep its nuclear programme running for its defense and balance the number game.
Addressing at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad on Friday, he said strategic stability in South Asia had been negatively impacted by Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal of 2005.
Chaudhry said discrimination in South Asia regarding membership of Nuclear Supplier Group will not be accepted.
He said peace loving Pakistan was compelled to acquire nuclear deterrence in the face of grave threat to its national security.
The Foreign Secretary said Pakistan fully deserves membership of the Nuclear Supplier Group.
Membership of the group is essential for Pakistan to achieve the energy production goal of Vision-2050.
The foreign secretary said the country’s nuclear facilities are placed under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. He said Pakistan fully adheres to the standards set by the international agency.
Addressing on the occasion, DG ISS Masood Khan regretted that India did not reciprocated Pakistan’s several proposals for peace and stability in the region.
He said India is trying to impede development of Pakistan in energy sector.
On the other hand, Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif will attend Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) to be held on March 31.
Chaudhry, in the last week travelled to United States. He attended a conference aimed at preparing for the summit and discussing the process.
The summit will be attended by heads of as many as 35 to 45 countries. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Jalil Abbas Jilani was also present at the preparatory conference.
Meetings of several world leaders are scheduled with the Prime Minister. Nawaz Sharif is also likely to meet President Barack Obama on the sidelines of summit. Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Mohammed Nafees Zakaria has said the rocket launch by North Korea on Monday last is a matter of deep concern. Responding to a question, he said every country has the right to peaceful uses of outer space.
He said Pakistan has persistently maintained that North Korea should abide by all its international obligations and all parties should avoid actions that are detrimental to the objective of the establishment of a nuclear weapons free Korean peninsula within the framework of Six Party Talks. Online/NNI
