WASHINGTON - Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Jalil  AbbasJilani has  been busy doing the rounds here to muster US support for Pakistan’s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), a 48-nation body that regulates the global trade in nuclear technology.

In this regard, Ambassador Jilani had approached the White House, the State Department, important Congressional leaders and significant think-tanks and opinion makers, a press release of Pakistan Embassy said Saturday.

It said that Ambassador Jilani has built Pakistan’s case for the NSG membership around the country’s unambiguous commitment to the international objectives of the nuclear non-proliferation and robust command and control systems of its civilian nuclear programme.

The ambassador has also assured the US leadership that Pakistan shares the international concerns against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and their means of delivery, saying his country's inclusion in the NSG would be the "right decision" to enhance international security.

The ambassador has also emphasised that Pakistan’s membership in the NSG would not only go a long way in strengthening the international non-proliferation regime but also help the country enhance its capabilities in harnessing peaceful uses of nuclear technology for the country’s burgeoning population of almost 200 million people, including in the fields of health, agriculture and power generation.

Pakistan, as one of the founding members of the IAEA, has actively contributed to the Conference on Disarmament (CD) in negotiating multilateral arms control and disarmament instruments on the principle of equal and undiminished security for all. Pakistan has also instituted elaborate export control regime, legislative framework and comprehensive regulatory and administrative measures.

In addition, the press release said, Pakistan’s Export Control Lists are in harmony with those of the NSG, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Australia Group. Because of a “catch-all” clause and licensing requirements in the export control law, there is no possibility of export of non-listed items that could be used in making WMDs or their delivery systems. By declaring unilateral adherence to NSG guidelines, Pakistan has further aligned itself with the global non-proliferation standards, it said.