Pakistan renews demands to be member of world's 'nuclear club'

Published on Saturday 8 May 2010 20:09

PAKISTAN yesterday renewed its demands to be officially recognised as a member of the world's elite club of nuclear powers.

The country, a key ally of the West in its battle with the Taleban in both Afghanistan and its own lawless frontier regions, insisted it had addressed international concerns about the safety and security of its weapons of mass destruction.

World leaders have become increasingly concerned that militants in Pakistan could penetrate the country's nuclear facilities.

But Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani yesterday said he had "laid to rest" all concerns about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear programme at a summit hosted by US President Barack Obama in Washington last month, and the world had "expressed satisfaction" over Pakistan's nuclear security arrangements.

"There is now a need for the world to move on beyond safety and security concerns," Gilani said, while addressing military officials at the test-firing of two short-range, nuclear-capable missiles. "It is time for the world to recognise Pakistan as a de jure nuclear power with equal rights and responsibilities."

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since their independence from British rule in 1947.

Gilani also reiterated a Pakistani offer made at the Washington summit to provide nuclear fuel cycle services, under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, to the world.

Pakistan's nuclear programme has been under intense international scrutiny since its inception in the 1970s. In 2004, senior Pakistani nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan admitted to selling Iran, North Korea and Libya nuclear enrichment technology that can be used to produce fuel for civilian reactors or atomic weapons.

Pakistan denied the government knew anything about Khan's activities, though Western diplomats and intelligence officials say they believe some members of Pakistan's government and military were aware of his nuclear network.

Gilani, whose government is struggling with a chronic energy crisis, also reiterated a call for the provision of civilian nuclear technology by the international community. "Energy is a vital economic security need of Pakistan and nuclear energy is a clean way forward," he said. Pakistan has long been asking for a civilian nuclear deal with the US, similar to one the US has with India. But the US is reluctant to strike such a deal with Pakistan mainly because of Khan's activities.

Pakistan first carried out nuclear tests in May 1998, days after similar tests by India. Like India, Pakistan has not signed the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Pakistan has about 80 atomic bombs and fissile material for up to 150 more, experts say. The official nuclear club currently consists of the US, Russia, Britain, France and China.