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Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
The consensus that was reached almost four decades ago through SSOD-I, on the mandate and machinery to pursue the disarmament agenda is fast eroding.
The gloomy picture presented by the disarmament landscape is primarily due to lack of progress made by the Nuclear Weapons States in fulfilling their legal nuclear disarmament obligations. Consequently, global efforts to regulate, reduce and prevent the spread of armaments, particularly nuclear weapons, are facing serious challenges.
There is a worrying trend of grant of discriminatory waivers to some and making exceptions for political or profit considerations. This has had a negative impact on global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts.
This meeting comes at a time when the need for exploring common ground and exercising true political will to revive consensus on disarmament agenda is all the more urgent.
Mr. President,
Pakistan fully supports the General Assembly resolution “Follow-up to the 2013 high-level meeting of the General Assembly on nuclear disarmament” and commends the efforts of the Non-Aligned Movement for spearheading the initiative that led to the designation of this day.
Mr. President,
SSOD-I accorded Nuclear Disarmament the highest priority. The prime objective of the disarmament process is the attainment of equal and undiminished security for all States.
Unfortunately though, some states have been trying to ignore the security consideration of others by insisting on steps that are cost-free for their own security but have significant security implications for others. Such a discriminatory approach would only be detrimental to global disarmament efforts.
Real breakthrough can only be achieved by exercising genuine political will to build consensus and cooperatively advance the shared goals of international peace and security and disarmament, on a non-discriminatory and equitable basis.
Mr. President,
Pakistan’s commitment to the cause of nuclear disarmament is second to none. We remain fully committed to the goal of nuclear disarmament, which is universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable.
Pakistan developed the nuclear capability for its defence. We were obliged to do so in response to the developments in our neighbourhood. It was an existential choice we made to preserve strategic stability in South Asia.
Our nuclear policy is guided by the principles of restraint and responsibility. Pakistan would continue to adhere to its policy of the Credible Minimum Deterrence, without entering into an arms race. At the same time, we are fully alive to the evolving security dynamics and would maintain deterrence to reinforce strategic stability in South Asia.
Mr. President,
Let me reiterate what my Prime Minister said in his address to the General Assembly last week that we remain ready for a serious and sustained dialogue with India for the peaceful resolution of all outstanding disputes, especially Jammu and Kashmir.
We have maintained a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing since 1998 and have offered to India to translate this into a bilateral arrangement on nuclear test ban.
Mr. President,
As a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan will continue to cooperate with all international efforts that seek to promote fair and equitable solutions to disarmament and non-proliferation challenges.
Pakistan has introduced state of the art measures to strengthen safety and security of our nuclear materials and facilities. We have adopted a comprehensive export control regime that is fully consistent with international standards.
Judged on the basis of objective criteria, Pakistan is fully eligible for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
I thank you Mr. President.