ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Tuesday reiterated Pakistan’s commitment not to transfer weapons of mass destruction to state or non-state actors. Addressing the implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1540, Aziz said as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan will continue to partner with international community to prevent non-state actors from acquiring the weapons. He underscored the need for striking a balance between advancing the goals of non-proliferation and facilitating access of developing countries to strategic and dual-use goods, materials and technologies for peaceful purposes under appropriate safeguards. In this regard, Aziz expressed Pakistan’s willingness to share its expertise and provision of technical assistance to developing countries in the region and beyond. He underlined that states which posses advanced capabilities should have an equal opportunity to participate in and contribute to the export control governance architecture. In this context, he highlighted Pakistan’s credentials and expertise to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), while emphasizing the need for a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory criteria for the cartel’s membership of non-NPT applicants. The two-day regional seminar, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, brings together 13 countries from South and Central Asia, China, Russia, representatives of the 1540 Committee Group of Experts and international organizations including the IAEA, OPCW and Interpol.