Pakistan calls for stability in South Asia
Maria A Khan 'Pakistan Times' Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has underscored the need for maintaining strategic and conventional stability in South Asia.

This was expressed at the Pakistan-Japan talks on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Peaceful use of Nuclear Energy in Tokyo.

The talks were held at senior expert level, said the Foreign Office here on Saturday.

The Foreign Office said, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to non-proliferation and work as partners in this regard. Director General for Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khalilullah Qazi, headed the Pakistan delegation.

The Japanese side was led by Director General for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Takeshi Nakane. Besides exchange of views on disarmament and non-proliferation issue, matters pertaining to regional and global security were also discussed.

The Japanese side appreciated the efforts being made by Pakistan to strengthen its export controls and expressed its readiness to extend further cooperation in this area.

Both sides agreed to explore avenues for possible future cooperation in the framework of the Senior Expert Level Working Group.

During the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister to Pakistan in April 2005, both sides had agreed to hold regular bilateral consultations on Disarmament and non-proliferation issues in the context of Japan -Pakistan security dialogue.●