At the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan reaffirmed its commitment to nuclear security while urging equitable and non-discriminatory access to civil nuclear cooperation to meet its growing energy demands. Addressing a debate on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) annual report, Pakistani delegate Syed Atif Raza emphasised that removing barriers to fair nuclear cooperation was vital for global energy equity.
Raza, a counsellor at Pakistan’s Mission to the UN, said current non-proliferation frameworks remain discriminatory and hinder peaceful nuclear development. He called for an inclusive global system under international safeguards that promotes civilian nuclear energy for sustainable growth.
Highlighting Pakistan’s track record, Raza noted that the country operates six safeguarded nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 3,530 megawatts, contributing 18% to the national energy mix. He said nuclear power accounts for 34% of Pakistan’s low-carbon energy, preventing nearly 15 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
Raza reaffirmed that Pakistan adheres to IAEA safety and verification standards and warned that politically motivated manipulation of safeguard mechanisms undermines the agency’s credibility. He also condemned attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities, calling them violations of international law and IAEA statutes.
The Pakistani representative expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with the IAEA and member states in promoting peaceful nuclear technology for health, food security, and environmental protection. “Pakistan stands ready to strengthen partnerships in advancing peaceful nuclear energy for sustainable development goals,” he concluded.
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