Pakistan has referred to as on the United Nations Safety Council (UNSC) to totally examine the “recurring” incidents of theft and illicit sale of nuclear and different radioactive supplies in neighbouring India.
A latest Indian media report mentioned that police had arrested three smugglers within the western Gopalganj district of Bihar with a uncommon Californium stone which is very radioactive and fetches a excessive value within the worldwide market.
“The Safety Council needs to be deeply involved on the recurring incidents of theft and illicit sale of nuclear and different radioactive supplies in our Jap neighbour,” everlasting consultant of Pakistan to the UN Ambassador Munir Akram advised a committee established by the 15-member Council pursuant to its decision 1540 that requires UN member states to take particular steps to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
“Within the newest incident final August 2024, a bunch was present in unlawful possession of a big amount of extremely radioactive and poisonous substance Californium, price US$ 100 million,” he mentioned, including that three incidents of theft of Californium had been additionally reported in India in 2021.
Contemplating these incidents, Akram advised the existence of a black marketplace for delicate supplies.
On the identical time, the Pakistani envoy mentioned: “Whereas stopping non-state actors from buying delicate supplies, rights of states to peaceable use of dual-use applied sciences should be safeguarded.”
He added: “Beneath the phrases of decision 1540, the Safety Council calls for that each one states chorus from offering any type of help to non-state actors that try to develop, purchase, manufacture, possess, transport, switch, or use nuclear, chemical, or organic weapons and their technique of supply, specifically for terrorist functions.”
The decision requires all states to undertake and implement applicable legal guidelines to this impact in addition to different efficient measures to stop the proliferation of those weapons and their technique of supply to non-state actors, specifically for terrorist functions.
In his remarks, Akram advised the committee that Pakistan, as a accountable nuclear weapons state, had participated actively, within the formulation and negotiation of UNSC”s decision 1540, and carried out its obligations below it.
“We’ve established: a sturdy command and management system; a rigorous legislative, administrative, and enforcement mechanism to control the switch of delicate items and applied sciences; and a complete export management regime of the best worldwide requirements,” the Pakistani envoy mentioned.
Furthermore, Pakistan, he mentioned, had submitted six stories, together with a complete matrix; appointed the Nationwide Level of Contact; adopted a voluntary Nationwide Motion Plan; provided technical help to a number of nations to assist implement the 1540 decision; and promoted regional cooperation for efficient implementation of the decision, together with a “Regional Seminar on implementation of 1540” to share finest practices and nationwide experiences.
“Pakistan believes that the 1540 Committee ought to proceed to give attention to capability constructing and voluntary help,” Akram mentioned, underscoring the necessity to additional refine the help mechanism by enabling states to submit extra particular help presents and requests similar to the varied provisions of the 1540 matrix.