Pakistan expresses deep concern over illicit uranium sales in India
Islamabad, June 04 (KMS): Pakistan has expressed its deep concern over illicit Uranium sales in India, which show lax controls, poor regularity and enforcement mechanisms as well as possible existence of black market for nuclear materials inside India.
Responding to media queries about reports of attempted illicit Uranium sales in India, Foreign Office spokesperson, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said, “We have seen the reports about yet another incident of attempted illegal sale of six kilogrammes of Uranium in India.”
He said similar incident involving seven kilogrammes of Uranium in the Indian state of Maharashtra last month and other such reports in the past are a matter of deep concern.
Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 and the International Atomic Energy Agency Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material make it binding on states to ensure stringent measures to prevent nuclear material from falling into wrong hands.
The spokesperson said Pakistan reiterates its call for thorough investigation of such incidents and measures for strengthening the security of nuclear materials to prevent their diversion.
He said it is equally important to ascertain the intent and ultimate use of the attempted Uranium sale given its relevance to international peace and security as well as the sanctity of global non-proliferation regime.
_ Courtesy; Radio Pakistan
