ISLAMABAD:,,, Pakistan has termed the safety and security of its nuclear programme a national responsibility.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly on the occasion of releasing annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Pakistan’s permanent ambassador Munir Akram said that Pakistan is party to several leading international instruments related to nuclear safety and security.

Underscoring the fundamental importance of removing barriers for gaining equitable and non-discriminatory access to civil nuclear cooperation, Ambassador Munir Akram affirmed that all States should fully comply with their safeguards obligations.

He said that the Agency’s safeguards should not be used to serve partisan political objectives. The envoy said that Pakistan would continue to support the IAEA’s role in the promotion of peaceful nuclear technology in accordance with its mandate.

He proposed convening a special session of the General Assembly to establish a new consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation.