Participants of the United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (SABAH): Participants of the United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament, who are on a visit to Pakistan from 20-23 October 2024, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

According to a statement issued by Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, they were briefed by Director General (Arms Control and Disarmament) Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, on Pakistan’s stance on arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation. He also emphasized the importance of unrestricted access to dual-use technologies for peaceful socio-economic applications.

The United Nations Disarmament Fellows, belonging to 25 countries, are visiting Pakistan as part of their international study tour. The visit, which has been organized by the Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), aims to familiarize international diplomats with Pakistan’s policies and institutional frameworks in arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation.

During their visit, the fellows will tour the Pakistan Centre of Excellence on Nuclear Security (PCENS), the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH), the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) in Wah Cantt, the Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC) in Taxila, the National Centre for Physics (NCP), and the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS).

At PCENS, the participants will receive detailed briefings on Pakistan’s nuclear safety and security architecture, regulatory frameworks, and the safeguards adopted in line with international standards, which have been recognized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At PINSTECH, they will observe the Pakistan Atomic Research Reactor and the peaceful applications of nuclear technology in health, industry, agriculture, food security, and power generation.

Established in 1978, the United Nations Programme of Fellowships on Disarmament is a prestigious programme of UNODA and offers valuable training and exposure to young professionals. Pakistan is hosting the international study tour for the UN Disarmament Fellows for the second time.