ALI HUSSAIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan needs to make all out effort to stop India's entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and become a permanent member of the UN Security Council, said Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer.

He stated this during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence Production here on Wednesday which was chaired by Khawaja Sohail Mansoor.

He further said that due to its past record of human rights violations in the occupied Kashmir, India cannot become a permanent member of the UN Security Council and Pakistan also needs to make every effort to prevent New Delhi's entry into the NSG.

Commenting on the defence agreements during US President Barack Obama visit to India, he said that these accords like the civil nuclear deal will destabilize the power balance in the region.

However, he added that the nation should not be worried about Pakistan capabilities to thwart any threat to its security, adding the country is not behind in defence capabilities as compared to any other country of the region.

Secretary for Ministry of Defence Production, Lt. Gen. (retd) Tanvir Tahir who was briefing the committee on International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) 2014, stated after making its entry to the NSG, India would be able to import raw material for expending its nuclear arsenal.

Unless and until all out-standing disputes with India are not resolved, Pakistan should make every effort to stop its entry into the NSG and UN Security Council", he said.

Briefing the committee, the secretary said that defence production sector of the country can be made export-oriented if the government provides sovereign guarantee. He said that the government needs to patronize the industry of defence production, adding that the industry could be brought at par with the textile sector if required budget and sovereign guarantee is provided.

He said the Maldives and Sri Lanka wanted to purchase Mushak aircraft, but the deal could not mature because both the countries were demanding credit to finalize the deal.

He said at present the defence production industry was an export-oriented sector, but Pakistan is exporting some small weapons which are not generating enough money. According to him, the sale of defence equipment like tanks and aircraft can make the industry profit-making sector, but most of the countries want such a deal on credit finance.

He further told the committee that efforts were being made to export Pakistan-made tanks to Middle Eastern countries, but they were more interested in tanks with automation transmission technology, while the country's industry manufactures tanks according to the requirement of our own armed forces.

The secretary, while sharing the shortcoming and challenges to the industry, said that there are also restrictions by the government not deal with certain countries like Latin America and some third world countries due to which the industry cannot earn more profit.

He revealed that Sudan has an outstanding amount of $2.1 million to be paid to Pakistan but the amount was not paid since long, as diplomatic relations between the two countries cannot make Pakistan a hard dealer.

Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanvir said that the industry is lacking the budget to make required technological progress.

Briefing the committee on IDEAS-2014, the secretary said that it was a success in pursuit of its desired objectives, as its few benefits goes to Defence Industry of Pakistan, both public and private sectors, which have ample opportunity to reach international market. Exhibitors and delegates from over 51 countries from all over the world participated in IDEAS-14 and, Pakistan's positive image was projected in a befitting manner.

The Committee was told by the Secretary that 338 foreign and 82 domestic companies/exhibitors participated in the said exhibition, which is the highest number since 2000.

The committee also expressed concern over the actions of Sindh government regarding non-purchase of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) from Ministry of Defence Production.

The Committee also recommended that Chief Secretary, Home Secretary and Inspector General of Police Sindh and PPRA management, will be called in the next meeting for explanation in this regard.