Pakistan, IAEA vow to strengthen nuclear cooperation as IAEA Director General is on a two day official visit to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to maximize the peaceful use of nuclear technology during his meeting with the agency’s top official, his office stated on Wednesday.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is on a two-day visit to Pakistan, where he is meeting key political leaders, attending seminars, and visiting a nuclear power facility. The IAEA, a UN agency responsible for promoting the safe and peaceful application of nuclear technology, has been collaborating with Pakistan since 1957, overseeing its civilian nuclear power program under established safeguards.
Although Pakistan has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it voluntarily adheres to safeguard agreements with the IAEA, ensuring that its nuclear facilities comply with international safety protocols.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to enhancing its partnership with the IAEA to fully utilize nuclear technology for peaceful applications. Their discussions covered the use of nuclear technology in various sectors, including cancer diagnosis and treatment, agriculture, food preservation, water management, and industry.
Sharif commended the IAEA’s efforts in promoting nuclear energy to address climate change, highlighting Pakistan’s long-standing and mutually beneficial collaboration with the agency. The Prime Minister’s Office further noted that, with IAEA support, Pakistan has made significant strides in nuclear power generation, industrial growth, healthcare, and agriculture, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.
In response, Grossi acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive and longstanding engagement with the IAEA and assured that the agency would continue working closely with the country.
Pakistan, a member of the IAEA Board of Governors, has been actively advocating for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), asserting that its nuclear program meets international safeguard requirements. The country also participates in IAEA conferences, policy dialogues, and technical workshops, reinforcing its commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
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