The Aug. 12 Reuters article, "Pakistan blocking nuclear disarmament talks," does not reflect Pakistan's factual position. Pakistan subscribes to the goals of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. To promote this objective in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner, Pakistan has always played an active and constructive role at the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva. It is in the same spirit that Pakistan joined the the CD's Program of Work consensus in May 2009.
Pakistan believes that in implementing the work program, the CD should pay equal attention to all issues on the agenda, particularly the four core issues — nuclear disarmament, negative security assurances, prevention of an arms race in outer space and a fissile material treaty.
In the discussions relating to the implementation of the work program, Pakistan has underscored the need for ensuring balance in terms of progress and substantive outcomes in all the aforementioned issues. The objective of global and regional peace and security can be achieved by adopting a balanced approach between nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament.
Pakistan's approach to the CD will be based on the principle that security is indivisible and that the legitimate security interests of all states must be promoted in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner.
During the discussions on CD procedural issues, Pakistan's delegation has underscored the above and this cannot be construed as an effort to reopen the agreed Program of Work. Pakistan's suggestions are entirely in accordance with the norms, principles and procedures of the CD.
Pakistan will continue to play an active and constructive role in the CD. It expects that the concerns of all states will be taken into account in promoting the goals of nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation in a holistic manner.
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