The outer space domain is being used by an increasing number of States, both for civilian and military purposes. While our dependence on outer space applications is on the rise, the risk of its weaponization is also growing. The development and deployment of Anti-Ballistic Missile systems and their integration into space assets as well as the testing of Anti-Satellite weapons further jeopardizes the peaceful uses of outer space. These concerns need to be addressed in a comprehensive treaty on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS).

Pakistan regularly co-sponsors the resolution on PAROS under UN General Assembly each year, calling on the CD to establish a working group on PAROS as early as possible. Pakistan has also been co-sponsoring every year since 2013 the resolution titled “No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space”. 

While recognizing the value of Transparency and Confidence building Measures (TCBMs) as well as other non-legally binding measures in promoting trust and confidence among states, Pakistan does not see such voluntary measures as a substitute for legally binding treaty-based obligations. There are clear gaps in the international legal regime governing the use of outer space with grave security implications. These gaps can only be plugged by concluding a treaty on PAROS that prohibits the placement of weapons in outer space and bans the threat or use of force against outer space objects.

Pakistan at the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)

Pakistan has been a member of COPUOS since 1973 and takes active part in the deliberation of the Committee and its two Subcommittees. Representatives of Pakistan's Mission in Vienna and experts from the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission of Pakistan (SUPARCO) participate in the annual sessions of COPUOS and its subcommittees.

As a party to all the five UN outer space-related treaties, Pakistan is committed to

• Universal access to outer space on an equal and non-discriminatory basis, irrespective of States' level of scientific, technical and economic development;
• Non-appropriation of outer space by claim of sovereignty, use, appropriation, occupation or other means;
• Exclusive use for peaceful purposes as a common heritage of humankind. 

As a space emerging nation, the prime focus of Pakistan’s national space program is the pursuit of sustainable socio-economic progress. Pakistan’s space capabilities are being used in diverse fields such as agriculture, disaster management, public health, urban planning and water resource management. A national space policy articulates the vision and provides the framework for effective harnessing of the space technologies and applications towards this objective.

Pakistan’s positions on issues on the COPUOS’ agenda reflect the common concerns and interests of all developing countries, with active engagement in the deliberations of the Group of 77 & China. These can be summed up as follows:

• Carrying out all outer space activities in a peaceful, transparent, sustainable and safe manner in accordance with the relevant international law and norms.
• Bridging the “Space Divide” (the wide technological gap between the advanced space-faring countries and the developing countries with limited or no access to space technologies) to ensure that developing nations have an equitable right in the exploration, access and use of outer space for peaceful purposes without any discrimination.
• COPUOS to continue serving as a platform for the promotion of technical assistance and technology transfer to developing countries in space-related activities for sustainable development.
• Space, as a finite and fragile resource, to be treated as a global common and preserved and protected in a manner so as to ensure equity and access in its uses for all nations. However, the evolving framework on long term sustainability must not impose undue and unreasonably high standards and obligations which might be prejudicial to the interests of developing and space emerging countries by limiting their access.

*******