UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has reaffirmed its support and cooperation with the international community to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).

“Pakistan will continue cooperating with efforts to promote fair and equitable solutions to disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation challenges,” said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi.

The representative added Pakistan has made remarkable progress towards the resolution’s implementation. She also outlined the legislative, regulatory, administrative and organizational steps taken in this regard.

“Pakistan always supported the globally agreed objectives of promoting nuclear non- proliferation and disarmament,” stated Lodhi.

While Pakistan possesses nuclear arms, the country is not known to possess chemical or biological weapons. Pakistan has signed the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) in 1972, which it ratified in 1974.

In 2004, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1540, which affirmed that the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

Pakistan has also submitted its membership application on May 19 for the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a week after India, which applied on May 12.

The NSG was formed in 1974, in response to India’s first nuclear test, to prevent further proliferation.

The NSG is one of the main tools for controlling the exports and proliferation of materials that could potentially be used in making weapons of mass destruction. It also tacks the black market trade of nuclear technologies.

Pakistan fears that if India becomes a member, it would use the consensus clause to prevent Pakistan from ever joining the group. Pakistan also fears that joining the NSG would increase India’s access to nuclear technology, which could also enhance its weapons programme, even if indirectly.