Pakistan joins the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism

Pakistan has decided to participate in the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism which was jointly announced by the US and Russian Presidents at the July 2006 G8 Summit in St. Petersburg.

The Global Initiative aims at developing international cooperation to combat nuclear terrorism. Interested states can join the Global Initiative by endorsing the Statement of Principles of the Initiative and expressing their commitment to implement them on a voluntary basis consistent with their national legal obligations.

The Global Initiative applies to civilian nuclear facilities and activities. Accordingly, the military nuclear facilities and activities of the nuclear weapon States party to the NPT are not covered by the Initiative. While joining the Initiative, Pakistan has declared that the Global Initiative does not cover Pakistan's military nuclear facilities or activities. With this understanding, the sponsors of the Initiative have welcomed Pakistan's participation.

Pakistan has been invited to attend the next meeting of the Global Initiative which will be held in Kazakhstan from 11-12 June 2007.

It may be pointed out that as a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan has put in place legislative, regulatory and administrative infrastructure to prevent and combat any possible acts of terrorism involving nuclear and radiological materials and facilities. The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority(PNRA) is implementing a national Nuclear Security Action Plan (NSAP) with the assistance of the IAEA which aims at i) strengthening the security of nuclear and radioactive materials and facilities containing such materials ii) prevention and detection of illicit trafficking in nuclear and radioactive materials and iii) responding to incidents of illicit trafficking and emergencies. The main elements of the Global Initiative are in line with this Action Plan. Pakistan has also put in place stringent export control measures which are in line with the standards followed by the NSG, MTCR and Australia Group.

Pakistan 's participation in the Global Initiative is a manifestation of the fact that nuclear security and export control measures in Pakistan are at par with latest international standards and recognition of the important role being played by Pakistan as a partner in global efforts against nuclear proliferation and possible nuclear terrorism.

Islamabad

9 June 2007