By The South Asia Times

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has formally notified revised national control lists governing the export of sensitive goods, technologies, materials and equipment linked to nuclear, biological weapons and their delivery systems, reinforcing its commitment to global non-proliferation norms.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, the government said the updated lists have been notified under the Export Control Act, 2004, and published in the Gazette of PakistaN.

Items covered under the revised lists will require an export licence from the Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV) of the Foreign Ministry.

Officials said the update is part of Pakistan’s routine regulatory process to keep its export control framework current and effective. The control lists, first introduced in 2005, have previously been revised in 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2022 to reflect evolving technologies and emerging proliferation risks.

- Why countries update control lists

Countries periodically update export control lists to respond to rapid advances in science and technology, changes in global security dynamics, and the emergence of new dual-use items that can have both civilian and military applications.

Such updates are also necessary to close regulatory gaps that could be exploited for illicit proliferation and to ensure transparency and predictability for legitimate international trade.

Pakistan’s latest revision aims to maintain alignment with internationally recognised multilateral export control regimes, including the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), and the Australia Group (AG). Harmonisation with these regimes is considered a key benchmark for responsible states handling sensitive technologies.

- International significance

Although Pakistan is not a formal member of all these regimes, officials say aligning national controls with their guidelines demonstrates Islamabad’s willingness to uphold global non-proliferation objectives. The Foreign Ministry said the review was conducted in consultation with relevant ministries and departments to ensure coherence across government and effective implementation.

“This notification underscores Pakistan’s resolve to further strengthen its export control regime,” the statement said, adding that it reaffirms the country’s role as a responsible technology-holder state committed to non-proliferation and the fulfilment of its international obligations.

The move comes amid heightened international scrutiny of strategic technologies and supply chains, as major powers and multilateral institutions push for tighter controls to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction and related delivery systems.