Pakistan (Commonwealth Union)_ According to Radio Pakistan, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi described Pakistan’s nuclear safety as “world-class” and appreciated the country’s technical and engineering expertise. The IAEA director general is in Pakistan on a two-day tour to address Pakistan-IAEA collaboration-related projects. Grossi is making his first trip to Pakistan since entering office in 2019.
During a conference in Islamabad, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that Pakistan’s ability to construct new nuclear power plants implies a bright future for nuclear energy and fulfilling Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to the IAEA chief, there is substantial political backing in Pakistan for the construction of additional nuclear power facilities. Grossi lauded Pakistan’s nuclear safety, and described nuclear facility safety measures as “world-class.”
During his tour, Grossi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, with whom he discussed collaboration between the IAEA and Pakistan in a variety of fields, including health, agriculture, industry, nuclear medicine, and power generation. During the meetings, the senior officials voiced complete support for the agency’s several projects and programs and expressed willingness to enhance cooperation and support for the IAEA’s activities.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated at the conference in Islamabad that Pakistan’s engagement with the IAEA encompasses all sectors of nuclear technology. He said, “Nuclear power provides clean and cheap energy and currently contributes to 8% of Pakistan’s energy mix with six operational nuclear power plants”. In addition, he stated that Pakistan has an outstanding nuclear safety and security record, and the country aims to construct additional power facilities. During the weekly press briefing, the Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch responded to a reporter saying, “I can categorically state here that this issue is not on the agenda of the DG IAEA’s visit and will not be discussed, and there will be no agreement in the context you are referring to”.
