International News

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 20 (APP): A senior Pakistani diplomat has called for steps to prevent the weaponization of outer-space, saying it would adversely affect regional and international peace and security. “Weaponisation of outer space is not science fiction anymore,” Ambassador Tehmina Janjua, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in Geneva, told the General Assembly’s Disarmament and International Security Committee on Wednesday. “With the ever growing use of outer space by an increasing number of states, both for civilian and military purposes, the potential and the risk of its weaponization cannot be ruled out,” she said during a debate on Outer Space matters. “Weapons in space would lead to instability, and negatively affect international and regional peace and security,” the Pakistani envoy added. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibited the placement of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in outer space, she said, while pointing out that it does not cover the placement of other types of weapons including conventional weapons.