The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, attended the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) held at The Hague, The Netherlands on 24-25 March 2014. Leaders from 53 States, as well as heads of United Nations (UN), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), European Union (EU) and Interpol, attended the Summit, which was presided by Prime Minister Mark Rutte of The Netherlands.
Speaking at the inaugural plenary session, Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's strong commitment to nuclear security and highlighted Pakistan's contribution to foster a nu-clear security culture at the international level. The Prime Minister told Summit participants that Pakistan had been running a "safe, secure and safeguarded civil nuclear programme for more than 40 years". Pakistan's nuclear security, the Prime Minister said, is supported by "five pillars – a strong command and control system led by the National Command Authority (NCA); an integrated intelligence system; a rigorous regulatory regime; a comprehensive export control regime; and active international cooperation". Pakistan, the Prime Minister said, pursued a policy of nuclear restraint as well as credible minimum deterrence. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also addressed an informal plenary on the future of the NSS process as a key note speaker.
The Prime Minister attended a banquet hosted by His Majesty Willem-Alexander, King of The Netherlands and held bilateral meetings with President Francois Hollande of France and Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany. The US Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry, also called on the Prime Minister.
At the invitation of Dutch Foreign Minister, Frans Timmermanns, Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister/ Minister of State, participated in a working lunch-eon hosted for Foreign Ministers of NSS participating States. Mr. Fatemi made a statement on "Nuclear Risks and International Security" which was the topic for luncheon meeting. Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry was part of the Prime Minister's delegation. The Hague Summit was the third in the series of the Nuclear Security Summits. Since 2010, when the first Summit was held in Washington DC, Pakistan's active and constructive participation in the NSS process has been widely recognized by the international community.