ICCI hosts session on Export Controls and Pakistan Nuclear Policy

The Strategic Studies Institute Islamabad (SSII) in collaboration with Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) organized an introductory session on Export Control and Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy. The purpose of the session was to create awareness in the business community about the laws related to export controls and nuclear policy of Pakistan.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Shireen Mazari, Director General, Strategic Studies Institute, Islamabad said that there was no coordination between the civil society and business community and everyone was working in isolated boxes. She stressed that was very important for business persons that they should be well informed of the laws dealing with the import/export of strategic technologies otherwise, they could land in trouble while conducting business transactions with foreign countries.

She said European countries have developed strong cooperation on nuclear energy and stressed that Pakistan and India should also develop cooperation for generating nuclear energy to overcome their energy shortage and give boost to economic activities. Such an arrangement will also lead to confidence building between the two countries.

She said the international nuclear systems like the Treaty on the Non-proliferation Nuclear Weapons (NPT) were highly discriminatory for countries like Pakistan while Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was well-balanced, but was not approved by the US Congress. She said the international power were working to weaken Islamic States to deter them from developing nuclear weapons while Indo-US nuclear deal was clear violation of NPT and a threat for Pakistan. She said Pakistan many times floated the idea of making South Asia a nuclear weapons free zone, but India always rejected such moves. She was of the view that nuclear weapons were a strong deterrence against aggression.

Mr. Khalid Banuri, Director General, Arms Control Disarmament Authority, Islamabad gave a detailed presentation on Export Controls and Pakistan’s Nuclear Policy. He said Pakistan has put in place a comprehensive institutional framework with the National Command Authority (NCA) at the apex for policy formulation, employment and development of strategic systems.

Muhammad Shakeel Munir, Acting President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry thanked the SSCI and ACDA for organizing an informatory session for the benefit of business community and hoped that they would continue to organizing such events to create better awareness in the civil society about export controls and Pakistan’s nuclear policy dynamics