Centrifuge parts sent to IAEA

Published May 27, 2005

ISLAMABAD, May 26: Pakistan has sent parts of a nuclear centrifuge to Vienna to help the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its proliferation investigation and its analysis to check if these had any resemblance to nuclear material found in Iran, Libya or North Korea. Foreign Office spokesman Jalil Abbas Jilani said: “This is something about which we had already made public commitment.”

The spokesman said Pakistan was cooperating voluntarily with the IAEA to promote nuclear non-proliferation. Mr Jilani said: “Used parts of an old and discarded centrifuge, which had no bearing on our national security have been sent.”

The spokesman said a team of Pakistani experts had been sent with the centrifuge parts to assist the IAEA in the analysis. “The IAEA would carry out the analysis in the presence of our experts after which the centrifuge parts would be brought back,” he added.

When asked if Pakistan was under investigation for nuclear proliferation, the foreign office spokesman said: “Pakistan is not under investigation. We are cooperating with regard to the investigations being conducted to probe nuclear proliferation in another country.

“Not only the IAEA, but Iran had also requested Pakistan to cooperate so that there is a closure to the proliferation issue,” said Mr Jilani.

AFP adds: A Vienna-based diplomat said that the parts had arrived at IAEA’s headquarters on Thursday and that it was Pakistan which had suggested lending the equipment.

Opinion

Editorial

The challenge before banks
Updated 27 Feb, 2025

The challenge before banks

The way we do banking today will not exist in next 10 years, only those will survive who are capable of adopting new technologies.
Torkham tension
27 Feb, 2025

Torkham tension

CONTROVERSY over demarcation of the common frontier is one of the key obstacles standing in the way of better...
Weak link
27 Feb, 2025

Weak link

KARACHI — economic powerhouse, cultural melting pot, and bustling metropolis of over 20m souls. There is much that...
Forgotten inmates
Updated 26 Feb, 2025

Forgotten inmates

Diversion programmes are needed for minor offences and people with psychosocial disabilities should receive treatment rather than be jailed.
Controlling crypto
26 Feb, 2025

Controlling crypto

THOUGH Pakistan’s official position on cryptocurrencies has evolved considerably over the years, there still seems...
Deadly roads
26 Feb, 2025

Deadly roads

DRIVING in Karachi can be hazardous, with chaos on the roads, and very little by way of following rules and...