Friday, July 13, 2012

Haqqani network solely an Afghan entity: Malik

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Interior Affairs Senior Adviser Rehman Malik said Haqqani network was an Afghan entity and Pakistan had nothing to do with it.
Talking to journalists at a two-day national conference being organised by the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) on ‘The Applications of Nuclear Science and Technology in Pakistan’, on Thursday, Malik said the Punjab government should not support defunct organisations.
To another question, he said Defence Committee of the Cabinet decision to restore NATO land supply route to Afghanistan was in the best national interest. He said that scientists working in Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) did not release any secret information to anyone. “I appeal to US President Obama, to give us the same favour of an NSG waiver, as has been given to India,” Rehman Malik said in his speech.
He said that the world should stop discriminatory policies. “Pakistan and India both are non-signatories to the NPT, but the United Stated supported India in its attempt to get an NSG waiver, despite the fact that India has not signed a legally binding non-proliferation agreement internationally. The world is talking about Pakistan’s nuclear programme, while providing all the facilities to India which are not covered under full-scope safeguards of the IAEA,” he added.
He said, “I would like to appeal to the Indian authorities to put an end to the blame game currently being played, and to move forward through dialogue. The two nations will suffer from the results of this tension otherwise. India should come to the table to discuss all those factors that are creating tension. Small irritation points have the potential to trigger a war, such as Pearl Harbour and the Japanese bombings. World should accept this reality that without stabilised Pakistan, peace could not possible in world.”
On the nuclear account, he mentioned again that civilian nuclear energy was the need of the day. “The future is nuclear energy and we need it. We are ready to help the world but through a systematic and criteria-based manner. We want to be a part of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Australia Group, similar to the waiver given to India.
PAEC Chairman Dr Ansar Parvez Butt while addressing the SASSI seminar stated AEC was striving for the use of nuclear science and technology for the socio-economic development of the country.
He said that PAEC had set up a viable platform for science and developing technology and taken the benefits of technology to the common man. PAEC has nurtured a culture of merit and quality in the young graduates by presenting to them a merit-based high-tech organisation.
Saeed Alam Siddique, member power PAEC, said that PAEC was running three nuclear power reactors namely KANUPP, C-1 and C-2 units, while C-3 and C-4 were under construction. “This will help to bridge the gap of energy shortfall in the country and by 2030, we will contribute to Pakistan’s energy grid approximately 8,800MW.”
The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) chairman in his address explained the regulatory framework in Pakistan. PNRA has issued a number of regulations for nuclear safety and security in the country. Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Javed Laghari, Arms Control and Disarmament (ACDA) Strategic Plans DG Air Commodore Khalid Banuri, PNRA Corporate DG Zaheer Ayub Baig and member Fuel cycle PAEC, Muhahmmad Naeem, also spoke on the occasion.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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