Pakistan urges probe into N-black market in India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the remarks of Indian defence minister on its nuclear arsenal, made on Thursday in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
'These irresponsible remarks reveal his profound insecurity and frustration regarding Pakistan's effective defence and deterrence against Indian aggression through conventional means,' Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said on Thursday. Pakistan's conventional capabilities are adequate to deter India, without the self-imposed 'nuclear blackmail' that New Delhi suffers, he added.
Addressing his soldiers during his IIOJK visit, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Pakistan's nuclear arsenal should be under the surveillance of the UN's atomic energy agency (IAEA).
Furthermore, the FO spokesperson emphasised that the comments of India's defence minister also show his sheer ignorance of the mandate and responsibilities of a specialised agency of the United Nations like the IAEA.
If anything, the spokesperson remarked the IAEA and the international community should be worried about the repeated theft and illicit trafficking incidents involving nuclear and radioactive material in India.
Just last year, five individuals with a radioactive device reportedly stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) were found in Dehradun, India.
Later, a gang of individuals was found with illegal possession of a highly radioactive and toxic substance, Californium, worth $100 million. Three incidents of theft of Californium were also reported in 2021, Ambassador Shafqat pointed out. 'These recurring incidents call into question the measures taken by New Delhi for the safety and security of nuclear and other radioactive material,' he highlighted.
These incidents also suggest the existence of a black market for sensitive, dual-use materials inside India.
Pakistan urges a thorough investigation of these incidents and calls upon India to ensure the safety and security of its nuclear facilities and arsenal.
Both south Asian rivals reached consensus to hold fire on May 10, following four days of intense tit-for-tat drone, missile and artillery exchanges.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Iranian ambassador accuses US and Israel of sabotage ahead of nuclear talks
Listen to article Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam on Sunday accused the United States and Israel of sabotaging peace by launching deadly strikes on Iranian territory just two days before scheduled nuclear talks with American representatives. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Amiri said the attacks on June 13 killed Iranian commanders and were a direct attempt to derail a diplomatic meeting planned for June 15. 'The Zionist regime and the United States do not want resolution through diplomacy,' he stated. The ambassador labelled the Israeli government as 'illegitimate' and accused it of acting as a 'US military outpost' in the Middle East. He stressed that Iran is a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and operates under the strict oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), unlike Israel. Citing two US intelligence reviews, Amiri reiterated that Iran's nuclear programme is peaceful. 'Our Supreme Leader has clearly stated we are committed to peaceful nuclear development,' he said, adding that the programme exists 'in the minds of our scientists' and cannot be destroyed by missiles. He said Iran will defend itself and has already shown that Israel was unable to intercept Iranian-made missiles. 'When the Zionist regime failed to defend itself, America was brought in,' Amiri claimed, adding that Washington struck Iran again on Sunday morning. Amiri warned the US that 'in war, we will determine where America will feel pain,' while stating that Iran is supported by Muslims around the world. He thanked Pakistan's government, media, scholars, and politicians for their solidarity and support. Amiri also expressed gratitude to the United Nations Security Council members who condemned Israeli aggression alongside Pakistan. He dismissed calls for regime change in Iran, claiming that all American presidents have attempted to interfere in Iranian governance through diplomacy or force. 'The Iranian people will never accept leadership imposed by Israel or the United States,' he said. The ambassador said the city of Isfahan, a densely populated area near Iran's nuclear infrastructure, suffered unspecified damage in recent strikes, while the Fordow nuclear site remained unaffected due to its remote location. He concluded by thanking Pakistan for its 'brave and honourable support,' affirming Iran's continued resistance against foreign aggression and its stance against 'genocidal regimes' in Gaza and beyond.
Express Tribune
10 hours ago
- Express Tribune
US attack: unravelling Iran's 75 years of work
Photo: Iranian flag flies in front of the UN office building, housing IAEA headquarters, in Vienna, Austria, May 24, 2021. REUTERS Listen to article Iran's nuclear programme, which began in the 1950s with the help of the United States, is a tale of immense financial and human sacrifices. Ironically, the very country that helped Tehran launch it now appears determined to destroy it nearly 75 years later. During the Pahlavi dynasty in the 1970s, the programme expanded with the installation of nuclear power reactors. However, after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the programme was halted, and the US imposed its first economic sanctions. In the 1990s, suspicions arose in the international community that Iran was secretly developing nuclear weapons. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted its first inspection in 2003, uncovering Iran's nuclear activities. In 2006, permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany initiated talks with Iran. This resulted in the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Iran agreed to limit uranium enrichment to 3.67% and reduce its enriched uranium stockpile. Iran also allowed the IAEA full monitoring access to its nuclear sites, and the agency confirmed Iran's transparency until 2015. In 2018, the United States — under President Donald Trump — withdrew from the deal, prompting Iran to gradually resume uranium enrichment. After 2021, enrichment levels reached 60%. Between 2021 and 2025, the IAEA expressed doubts and concerns over Iran's lack of cooperation. In early 2025, a new diplomatic effort began to revive the agreement. Five rounds of negotiations were held, with a sixth round scheduled from June 1315 in Oman. On June 12, the IAEA reported that Iran was close to reaching a nuclear breakout point. The next day, June 13, Israel launched an attack on Iran, killing six nuclear scientists, the Iranian army chief, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander, and the aerospace commander. In total, over fifteen Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in recent Israeli attacks. Two generals, the IRGC deputy intelligence chief, and a deputy commander were also killed. Previously, in 2009, Iranian nuclear scientist Dr Masoud Mohammadi was assassinated. In 2010, Dr Majid Shahriari was also killed. In 2011, Dariush Rezaeinejad lost his life, and in 2020, the mastermind of Iran's nuclear programme, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was assassinated. According to foreign news agencies, Iran has six major nuclear facilities across different cities. Natanz and Fordow are used for uranium enrichment. Arak had a heavy water reactor, which was attacked by Israel on June 19. Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power plant; Isfahan has a uranium conversion center while Lashkarabad hosts a nuclear experimental center. Iran's nuclear facilities have also been targeted by multiple cyber and physical attacks. In 2010, the Stuxnet virus damaged centrifuges at Natanz. In 2020, an explosion occurred at Natanz, which Iran termed sabotage. In 2021, another attack disrupted its power system. Iran has consistently blamed Israel for these attacks.
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Trump cuts India down to size
This is apropos a letter to the Editor titled 'India's water belligerence' carried by the newspaper yesterday. In my view the writer is spot on as it is increasingly evident that India's has been trying to overcome the shock that it has received in the four-day conflict at the hands of Pakistan last month. No doubt, the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan's Field Marshal and army chief Asim Munir has spooked the Indian government so much so that its ministers are now making more irresponsible statements against Pakistan than before. It is important to note that now Pakistan has announced its formal decision to recommend US President Donald Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, praising his 'decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership' during the recent four-day war between Pakistan and India. In a statement posted on X, the government highlighted Trump's pivotal role in helping to de-escalate tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. The post carried the headline: 'Government of Pakistan Recommends President Donald J Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.' How ironic it is from India's perspective that prime minister Narendra Modi's so-called 'close friend' President Trump is now being assailed by Godi media for inflicting a blow on India's nefarious designs of becoming the regional hegemon. Be that as it may, Trump deserves praise for cutting India down to size in an effective and meaningful manner. Sana Adeel (Karachi) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
