Pakistan supports IAEA’s role in promoting responsible use of nuclear technology: PM

• Premier Shehbaz meets IAEA DG Rafael Mariano Grossi, praises strong Pakistan-IAEA partnership

• Both witness agreement signing to designate INMOL Lahore as IAEA collaborating centre for nuclear medicine and cancer care

• Grossi lauds Pakistan’s contribution to work of IAEA in areas of nuclear safety and security

• Shehbaz also calls for renewed global commitment to inclusive, equitable development, highlights Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate disasters despite low emissions

• Premier, Chancellor Stocker express unwavering support for multilateralism, further strengthening UN system

 VIENNA/ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role in the promotion of responsible use of nuclear technology during an official visit to Vienna.

“Premier Shehbaz Sharif reaffirms Pakistan’s support for the IAEA’s role in the promotion of responsible use of nuclear technology in areas such as cancer diagnosis and treatment, agriculture, nuclear power generation and industrial applications,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.

PM Shehbaz was talking with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi during a meeting at the Vienna International Centre, the statement said.

“He praised the strong partnership between Pakistan and the IAEA, while observing that Pakistan was not only a beneficiary of the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme but was also contributing to the work of the IAEA through the provision of its experts and conducting international trainings for IAEA member states,” the PMO said.

The statement added that the IAEA director general acknowledged Pakistan’s “experience and expertise in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and the high quality of its engineers, scientists and technicians”.

“Among other things, he appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to the work of the IAEA in the areas of nuclear safety and security,” the statement said.

It said that Grossi further said that Pakistan was “well placed” to help other member states in the “peaceful applications of nuclear technology”.

He also looked forward to Pakistan’s “active participation” in the Nuclear Energy Summit being organised by France in March 2026, the statement said.

Later, an agreement was signed on the designation of the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) in Lahore as an IAEA collaborating centre.

On the sidelines of a special event at the United Nations Office in Vienna @UN, Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 signed the “Collaborating Centre Agreement between the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL), Lahore, and… pic.twitter.com/1ifqsF3U6T

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 17, 2026

The statement said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who was also present, and Grossi signed the agreement.

In a post on X, Dar said it was “good catching up” with Grossi.

Good catching up with Rafael Mariano Grossi @rafaelmgrossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency @iaeaorg, in Vienna.

We discussed the vital role of the IAEA in advancing peaceful uses of nuclear technology and strengthening global nuclear safety and… pic.twitter.com/DKjsJTCba6

— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) February 17, 2026

“We discussed the vital role of the IAEA in advancing peaceful uses of nuclear technology and strengthening global nuclear safety and security,” he said.

“Conveyed my best wishes for his continued efforts in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear technology and sustainable development,” he added.

Grossi said in a post on X on Monday night that he was honoured to welcome PM Shehbaz.

Honored to welcome Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the @IAEAorg today.

His visit underscored Pakistan’s commitment to the safe and responsible use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Proud to designate 🇵🇰’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL)… pic.twitter.com/z7jutDxZVv

— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 16, 2026

“His visit underscored Pakistan’s commitment to the safe and responsible use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,” he said.

He further said that he was proud to designate INMOL as an IAEA collaborating centre as “we strengthen our cooperation to expand cancer care, radiopharmaceutical production and nuclear medicine services, among others”.

‘PM calls for renewed global commitment to sustainable, inclusive development’

Later in the day, PM Shehbaz addressed an event titled “Sustainable Development: Pathway for Global Peace and Prosperity”, calling for development to be inclusive and equitable.

The premier called for a renewed global commitment to sustainable and inclusive development.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses Special Session on Sustainable Development, Pathway for Global Peace and Prosperity held in Vienna International Centre.#PMShehbazInAustria pic.twitter.com/Z2iGh4K7bF

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 17, 2026

He maintained that a renewed commitment was the “only viable pathway to durable peace and shared prosperity in a world facing intertwined crises”.

The prime minister said the world stood at a crossroads where geopolitical hostility, climate stress and technological disruption were converging into a single destabilising force.

“The defining danger of our time is not any single threat, but the combination of many,” he said, warning that poverty, debt distress, mass displacement and unresolved political conflicts were intensifying global instability.

The prime minister further emphasised that sustainable development must be inclusive and equitable, leaving no one behind.

“Development cannot be called sustainable if it excludes millions from the promise of a better life,” he added.

Highlighting the “disproportionate burden” borne by developing countries, he said nations contributing least to global emissions were paying the heaviest price in terms of climate change, economic volatility and debt distress.

The prime minister said Pakistan contributed less than one per cent to global emissions but remained among the most vulnerable to climate-induced disasters.

He also recalled the devastating floods of 2022 that claimed over 1,700 lives, destroyed crops and infrastructure, and displaced millions, adding that subsequent floods had compounded the challenges.

“These disasters erode human security at its core,” he said, stressing that sustainable development must be anchored in equity, justice and fair play.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the prime minister said the government had integrated them into national development planning, focusing on human development, education, healthcare, food security and social protection, particularly for women and youth.

He said that Pakistan’s large youth population presented both a challenge and an opportunity, underscoring the need for investment in skills, digital transformation and institutional strengthening to harness their potential.

The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s advocacy for dialogue, diplomacy and multilateralism as the only viable means to resolve disputes and prevent conflict, despite facing aggression and violations of international commitments.

He stressed the need to reinforce and reform the United Nations system to enable it to effectively serve as a pillar of global peace and cooperation.

Highlighting Vienna’s unique role within the UN system, he said the city hosted key institutions dealing with counter-terrorism, crime prevention, industrial development and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and outer space.

Pakistan, he said, greatly valued its constructive engagement with IAEA, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and other Vienna-based entities and remained committed to supporting their mandates.

He also underscored the importance of capacity building, knowledge sharing and technology transfer to ensure that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology benefited all humanity rather than a privileged few.

“Unaddressed digital divides will soon become entrenched development divides,” he warned, urging the international community to address the root causes of global challenges instead of merely managing their consequences.

Later, the prime minister attended a ceremony for the signing of the UNIDO Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) Pakistan 2025–2030, the UNODC Country Programme Pakistan, and a cooperation agreement between the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) and the IAEA.

Grossi also attended the event, during which he said he had visited different nuclear facilities in Pakistan, including the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit, which he said was quite impressive.

He expressed commitment to continue collaboration with Pakistan, which he said will continue and strengthen.

DPM and FM Ishaq Dar, while addressing the event said Pakistan remained steadfast in its commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, recognizing the indispensable role of the United Nations in global peace, security, sustainable development, and the promotion of human rights.

"The mandates of the UN organizations in Vienna are closely linked to the peace-development nexus, and Pakistan takes pride in its constructive engagement with these pillars of global governance," he added.

He said Pakistan deeply appreciated the role of the IAEA in promoting peaceful applications of nuclear technology for global peace and development.

Further he said Pakistan was also committed to further strengthen its partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime for strengthening the rule of law and countering crimes that drain development resources.

"As a driver of inclusive and sustainable industrialization, UNIDO is central to Pakistan's efforts in poverty eradication, increasing sources of employment, and transitioning towards cleaner and more resilient industries," he added.

PM, Chancellor Stocker express unwavering support for multilateralism, further strengthening UN system

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Christian Stocker on Tuesday expressed their unwavering support for multilateralism, rule-based global order, underpinned by the principles and purposes of Charter of the United Nations and to further enhance their collaboration for strengthening the UN system.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and the Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, H.E. Mr. Christian Stocker, co-chaired a forum of CEOs of renowned Austrian and Pakistani companies at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna.

The companies represented at the CEOs Forum… pic.twitter.com/GVmWWuSpuJ

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 16, 2026

According to the joint statement between the government of the Republic of Austria represented by Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria, Christian Stocker and Islamic Republic of Pakistan represented by Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Chancellor received the prime minister, for an official visit on February 16 that marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between Austria and Pakistan in 1956.

Both the leaders reiterated the friendly and historical ties between the two countries and committed to work towards further strengthening bilateral relations in such fields as economic cooperation, trade and investment. Both sides took stock of developments at the global level and agreed on the central role of the United Nations in addressing the challenges of peace and security, sustainable development and promotion of human rights.

Both the leaders noted the potential between the two countries to enhance cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, tourism, hospitality, education, IT, healthcare and human resource development and mobility. In this regard they agreed to work for the early finalization of various Memoranda of Understanding under consideration related to these areas.

In addition to an one-on-one meeting between the two leaders and delegation-level talks, the federal chancellor and the prime minister also co-chaired a forum of leading Austrian and Pakistani companies. It was agreed to further enhance bilateral exchanges and cooperation through existing and future frameworks, building on the established mechanisms of dialogue.

The prime minister invited the Austrian businesses and companies to participate in the upcoming EU-Pakistan Business Forum to be held in Islamabad in April 2026.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif extended an invitation to Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker to visit Pakistan in the near future.