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Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates,
The international consensus that this Assembly reached thirty seven years ago to pursue the disarmament agenda continues to remain largely elusive. The failure of this year’s NPT Review Conference is emblematic of this negative trend.
Indeed reductions in the number of nuclear weapons have taken place. But the pace has been slow. There is a widely held sense of dissatisfaction over the lack of progress by NWS to fulfill their nuclear disarmament obligations. Thousands of nuclear weapons are still being retained and in some cases being modernized.
Pakistan believes that all States should pursue the objective of negotiating non-discriminatory, universal, comprehensive and general disarmament. This meeting is therefore very timely to work towards restoring the global consensus on nuclear disarmament.
Mr. President,
For a vast majority of States, nuclear disarmament remains the highest priority on the international security agenda. The High Level Meeting on Nuclear Disarmament was the first ever summit by this Assembly. This meeting and its follow-up is reflective of this priority.
Pakistan supports the Assembly’s resolution on “Follow-up to the 2013 High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on Nuclear Disarmament” in particular the call for urgent commencement of negotiations in the Conference on Disarmament for conclusion of a comprehensive convention on nuclear weapons.
We also align ourselves with the statement made by Non-Aligned Movement today.
Mr. President,
Pakistan supports the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons through a global, verifiable and non-discriminatory legal instrument. Our approach towards nuclear disarmament is determined by the guiding principles of the First Special Session of this august Assembly on Disarmament.
These cardinal principles are: the right of each state to security and undiminished security at the lowest level of armaments and military forces. These principles underwrite security for all; not security for a privileged few.
Pakistan recognizes that nuclear disarmament will not happen overnight or even in a life time. But the effort to eliminate nuclear weapons must start now.
Unfortunately, the Conference on Disarmament has been prevented from commencing negotiations on nuclear disarmament by a few States. This impasse has lasted for more than three decades. We support call for early commencement of negotiations on nuclear disarmament.
Mr. President,
We developed the nuclear capability for self defence and deterrence. Pakistan was 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.
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.
Our nuclear policy is guided by the principles of restraint and responsibility. Pakistan remains open to dialogue to resolve all outstanding disputes in South Asia, including the core issue of Kashmir. Pakistan seeks peace and stability in South Asia as the cornerstone of its policy and considers conflict resolution as a means to achieve this end.
I thank you, Mr. President.