PM urges world to give Pakistan civil nuclear technology

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Gilani says Pakistan’s nuclear programme peaceful
* Govt attaches importance to security of nuclear materials

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday urged the international community to provide Pakistan access to civilian nuclear technology for peaceful purposes in a non-discriminator manner.

In his message on Takbeer Day, Gilani said that civil nuclear power technology was an essential part of the national energy security strategy to help meet the country’s growing energy needs for the social and economic development.

The prime minister mentioned the country’s experience of more than 35 years of operating nuclear power plants, handling highly trained manpower and a well-established safety and security culture. “Pakistan qualifies for participation in civil nuclear cooperation at the international level,” Gilani said. The prime minister said that Pakistan’s nuclear programme was mainly for defensive and peaceful purposes. “Pakistan, as a nuclear weapon state, attaches highest importance to the security of nuclear materials and facilities and the democratic government is fully committed to ensuring nuclear security. We have put in place multi-layered mechanisms and processes under the National Control and Command Authority. We have done so, first and foremost, in our own national interest and to protect our strategic assets,” he said.

The prime minister said Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) launched the nuclear programme to defend the country and accelerate the pace of economic development.

“ZAB was aware of the challenges posed to the country’s security and future energy needs. Therefore, he built a team of dedicated professionals and mobilised the required economic resources to attain the objective. The precise objective of Pakistan’s nuclear programme was to establish balance of power in the region and safeguard the country’s sovereignty and integrity,” the prime minister said. app