- IAEA DG meets PAEC Chairman, endorses Pakistan’s peaceful nuclear applications
- Grossi praises Pakistan’s nuclear power programme, terming Chashma-5 construction milestone for clean, sustainable energy
- Pakistan reaffirms commitment to peaceful nuclear technology and socio-economic development
ISLAMABAD:Pakistan’s nuclear programme has received recognition from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for its steady progress and expanding cooperation, with the agency highlighting the country’s achievements in civil nuclear energy and peaceful applications of nuclear technology.
In a post on X after meeting Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Raja Ali Raza Anwar on the sidelines of the 69th IAEA General Conference in Vienna, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi praised Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen energy security through clean and sustainable nuclear power.
Pakistan is moving forward with its civil nuclear programme at a good pace, including at Chashma NPP 5, where I witnessed the first concrete pouring in Feb.
At #IAEAGC, met PAEC Chairman Raza Anwar to review what’s been done and what’s ahead, including 🇵🇰’s exemplary… pic.twitter.com/pfEfnJnVyS
— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) September 19, 2025
He noted that Pakistan’s nuclear power programme was advancing “at a good pace,” citing the ongoing construction of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-5 (C-5) as a major milestone. Grossi recalled witnessing the first concrete pouring at the site in February, which he described as a significant step in Pakistan’s pursuit of low-carbon energy solutions.
The IAEA DG and PAEC chairman reviewed cooperation under key agency initiatives, including Atoms4Food, which applies nuclear technology to improve crop yields, food safety, and pest control, and Rays of Hope, which seeks to expand access to nuclear medicine and radiotherapy for cancer care across the Asia-Pacific region. Grossi also appreciated Pakistan’s active engagement in training, capacity-building, and socio-economic applications of nuclear knowledge.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful uses of nuclear technology, the PAEC chairman stressed that the country’s nuclear power plants operate under the highest safety standards and contribute significantly to the national energy mix. He underlined that the PAEC’s activities align with the IAEA’s vision of promoting nuclear technology for peace, health, and prosperity.
The meeting also reviewed Pakistan’s role in regional initiatives under the IAEA, with its expertise in nuclear applications being shared with other member states in the Asia-Pacific. The Pakistani delegation reiterated its resolve to continue advancing peaceful nuclear cooperation, sustainable development, and improved quality of life across the region.
Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, & Mr Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, signed Pakistan’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2026-2031.(1/3)@ForeignOfficePk @iaeaorg pic.twitter.com/HvtrluvOxf
— Pakistan Embassy Austria (@PakinAustria) September 18, 2025
On the sidelines of the conference, Pakistan and the IAEA signed the fifth Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026–2031, a roadmap for nuclear cooperation over the next three technical cycles. The CPF identifies five priority areas: food and agriculture, human health and nutrition, climate change and water resource management, nuclear power, and radiation and nuclear safety.
According to a PAEC statement, the CPF reflects the enduring partnership between Pakistan and the IAEA, reinforces Pakistan’s role as a responsible member state, and directly supports national development goals as well as international commitments, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
