Disposal of nuclear waste strictly regulated: FO

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan on Wednesday said the disposal of nuclear waste in the country is strictly regulated in accordance with international standards.“Our nuclear power stations are under IAEA safeguards which not only keep an oversight on their operations but also on storage of nuclear waste which has to be fully accounted for, “ said Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq in his weekly briefing.
Responding to a question about a statement of Afghan Parliamentary Affairs Minister that Pakistan had dumped nuclear waste in a Afghan mountainous region during Taliban rule, the spokesman said Pakistan has not seen any official statement from the Afghan government in this regard.
The spokesman said, “We understand that the reported comments by the Afghan Minister were made to a journalist, the occasion and background of the Minister’s conversation with the journalist remain unknown.”
He said, such comments, if made by anyone, are baseless and demonstrate ignorance. “We are checking the veracity of the report, “ said the spokesman.
The spokesman further said the storage and disposal of nuclear waste was is fully counted for by the government.
“There are designated sites for deposit and storage of nuclear waste in the country,” he added.
Commenting on the statement of CIA Chief and repeated calls by foreign, particularly US officials for direct US/NATO action in Pakistan’s tribal areas, the spokesman Pakistan has repeatedly said that any attack inside its territory would be unacceptable.
The spokesman said, “All counter-terrorism measures inside Pakistan will be taken by our own security forces. We have also stressed repeatedly that if any country has any specific, actionable intelligence it should be communicated to us and our own security forces will take action based on that information.”
He said like any other country, Pakistan remains deeply concerned over the possibility of Al-Qaida or any other terrorist entity establishing a sanctuary or regrouping in the country.
The spokesman said terrorists, have threatened Pakistan and targeted people.
“We do no want our efforts to be undermined by any ill-conceived action from any quarter, that it is inconsistent with the principles of international law and would be deeply resented in the tribal areas and generally in Pakistan,” he added.
“Such actions, as we have already stated, will be irresponsible and dangerous,” said the spokesman.
He said, Pakistan and US are partners in the war against terrorism, and it would be counterproductive to create an impression of any divergences or difference on the issue of counter-terrorism or take any step detrimental to Pakistan’s counter-terrorism cooperation.
Replying to a question about next round of talks between Pakistan and India, the spokesman said dates for the talks to conclude 4th round of talks and to start 5th round of talks are being discussed at diplomatic levels between the Foreign Secretaries of two countries and dates would be announced soon.
He said construction of controversial Wullar Barrage by India in Occupied Kashmir is on the agenda of the composite dialogue while discussions are also taking place on another controversial project Kishan Ganga.
He hoped that recommendations of the neutral expert on Baglihar dam would be implemented in letter and spirit.
Commenting on the accusation of Indian National Security Advisor’s that Pakistan was interfering and supporting violent groups in India, the spokesman said Islamabad strictly follows the policy of non-interference.
He said, “One should not overlook the fact that the cause of violence in Kashmir is linked to Indian occupation.”
The spokesman said Pakistan rejects any pretext which is used to cast shadow on the peace process between the two countries.
Replying to another question Muhammad Sadiq said Pakistan has provided complete lists of Indian civil prisoners and fishermen currently held in Pakistan.
He said there are 53 Indian civil prisoners and 436 fishermen in Pakistani prisons.
The spokesman said according to the list provided by the Indian side, there are 133 Pakistani civil prisoners and 14 fishermen in Indian jails.
The lists are based on the data collected by the Indian authorities by 31st of last month, he added.
He said the Judicial Committee on Prisoners will meet in Islamabad later this month to work on the basis of information provided by the two sides.
In response to a question regarding demands for expelling the Danish Ambassador from Pakistan, he said currently there is no Danish ambassador in Islamabad.
Denmark’s last ambassador had returned to Copenhagen over one and a half year ago, he added.
He said Pakistan condemns the blasphemous acts of reproduction of blasphemous images by Danish newspaper and the anti-Quran movie released on the Internet by a Dutch legislator.
The spokesman said Pakistan has made demarches with important Western capitals including Brussels and Vatican. He said the film has not been released from any tv channel.
Answering a question about any change in the foreign policy of the government, the spokesman said it is prerogative of the Government and the parliament to readjust, amend or change policies of the country.
He said politicisation of the Olympic Games is condemnable and Pakistan would be participating in Beijing Olympics.
The spokesman said the Olympic torch would be coming to Pakistan on 16th of this month.
On the question of any change in Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir, the spokesman reiterated that there has been no change on this policy so far and Pakistan has said that Kashmiri’s should be part of the Kashmir talks.
About appointment of Ambassador at Large, the spokesman said such ambassador have no privileges, no salary or other benefits. He said such ambassadors usually travel abroad on the request of the government to communicate with world leaders.