ISLAMABAD, Dec 27: The government on Tuesday classified the control lists of goods, technologies, materials and equipment related to nuclear and biological weapons and their delivery systems, which will be subject to strict export controls. Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said that effective and robust export controls should also facilitate international cooperation in the area of civilian nuclear technology under safeguards.

She said that the listing of goods was done according to international standards.

On being asked if the classification of goods was done because of any external pressure, the spokesperson said it had been done keeping in view national requirements.

An official announcement of the foreign office said all of Pakistan’s existing nuclear power-generating plants are under IAEA safeguards. The control lists have been classified pursuant to the Export Control Act, which was adopted by parliament in September 2004.

The control lists adopted by Pakistan encompass the lists and scope of export controls maintained by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group, which is related to biological agents and toxins, and the Missile Technology Control Regime.

The classification system was based on the European Union’s integrated list, which constitutes latest international standards in this regard.

The lists controlling the export of chemical weapons-related agents and their delivery system are already being maintained by Pakistan pursuant to the chemical weapons convention implementation ordinance 2000.

The classification of control lists further highlights Pakistan’s policy to implement its national and international non-proliferation commitments as a responsible nuclear weapon state.

The lists are being notified to all concerned, including manufacturers of such goods and technologies as well as to enforcement agencies, for effective control at the borders.

Pakistan in view of growing energy needs for development and scarcity of natural fossil fuel reserves, under its national energy plan, plans to generate 8,800MW of nuclear power by the year 2025 through the setting up of additional nuclear power plants under IAEA safeguards.