IAEA chief lauds Pakistan’s peaceful nuclear progress, cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s peaceful nuclear programme has received significant international recognition, as the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, acknowledged the country’s steady progress and strong cooperation with the Agency.
Grossi’s remarks came following a meeting with Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), held on the sidelines of the 69th IAEA General Conference in Vienna . In a social media statement, the IAEA chief commended Pakistan’s achievements in expanding its civil nuclear energy capacity.
He noted that Pakistan’s nuclear power programme is advancing “at a good pace,” citing the ongoing construction of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-5 (C-5) as a prominent example. Recalling his visit to the site in February 2025, Grossi referred to the first concrete pouring as a “major milestone” in Pakistan’s efforts to enhance energy security through clean and sustainable nuclear power.
During their meeting, the two sides reviewed collaboration under various IAEA initiatives. These included:
Atoms4Food, a programme aimed at improving agricultural productivity, food safety, and pest control using nuclear science.
Rays of Hope, which seeks to improve access to nuclear medicine and radiotherapy for cancer treatment across the Asia-Pacific region.
Grossi expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s active engagement with the IAEA, especially in areas such as capacity-building, technical training, and the application of nuclear knowledge for socio-economic uplift. He recognised Pakistan as an important partner in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
Dr. Anwar reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the peaceful application of nuclear technology in line with its national development goals and IAEA’s guiding frameworks. He emphasised that all nuclear power plants in Pakistan operate under the highest international safety standards and contribute substantially to the national energy mix by supplying reliable, low-cost, and low-carbon electricity.
He further stated that PAEC’s initiatives are fully aligned with the IAEA’s vision of using nuclear technology for peace, health, and prosperity.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss Pakistan’s growing contributions to regional cooperation under the IAEA umbrella, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, where Pakistani expertise in nuclear applications is being shared with other member states to enhance collective capacity.
Pakistan reiterated its strong resolve to continue working with the IAEA and its member countries to promote peaceful nuclear cooperation, sustainable development, and the well-being of people across the region. Staff Report