Harnessing Nuclear Technology for Peace and Prosperity: Pakistan's Enduring Collaboration with IAEA

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field. It works for safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, contributing to international peace and security and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Only civil nuclear programmes are covered in the IAEA mandate.

The Agency seeks to accelerate and enlarge the contribution of atomic energy to peace, health and prosperity throughout the world. It, however, ensures that assistance provided by it or at its request or under its supervision or control is not used in such a way as to further any military purpose. In order to ensure non-diversion of nuclear technology from peaceful to non-peaceful purpose, the Agency conducts regular inspections of civil nuclear facilities placed under IAEA Safeguards.

Pakistan and the IAEA

Pakistan is one of the founding members of the IAEA. As a country that has developed the entire range of nuclear fuel cycle activities with six nuclear power plants and has an extensive programme for application of nuclear technology and radioisotopes in agriculture, hydrology, medical and industrial sectors, Pakistan has a strong interest in the work of the IAEA.

Pakistan’s national Technical Cooperation Programme continues apace and is fully aligned with the IAEA’s Medium-Term Strategy. Following Pakistani institutes are IAEA collaborating Centres:

• Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)
• National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS)
• Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB)
• Pakistani Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH)

Following Pakistani centres have Practical Arrangements with IAEA:

• Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
• Pakistan’s National Centre for Non-Destructive Testing (NCNDT)
• Pakistan's Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS)

Moreover, Nuclear Medicine, Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) is IAEA’s Anchor Centre in the field of cancer diagnostic and treatment.

The Permanent Mission of Pakistan in Vienna participates actively in all policy discussions and activities of the IAEA.

The Mission also serves as an important liaison between the Agency Secretariat and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in all matters related to the Technical Cooperation Programme (including human resource development, expert services, fellowships, training courses and equipment supply), safeguards implementation, and others issues of mutual cooperation and interest. Chairman of the PAEC serves as Governor for Pakistan during our presence at the IAEA Board of Governors.

Pakistan is one of the highest achievers in terms of implementation rate of IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme; a fact appreciated by the successive IAEA Director Generals.

Pakistan has actively supported and participated in all IAEA flagship initiatives including ZODIAC, Rays of Hope, NUTEC Plastics, Atoms4food and Atoms4net-zero.

Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, DG IAEA visited Pakistan from 11-13 February 2025. His earlier visit to Pakistan was from 15-17 February 2023. Apart from high level meetings with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms of Pakistan; DG also visited various facilities and institutions related to the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology.

Pakistan attaches utmost importance to nuclear and radiation safety and has actively participated in and contributed to Agency activities in the areas of nuclear safety and security. Pakistan has a robust and effective nuclear safety and security regime at par with relevant international standards and is duly acknowledged. The national nuclear safety and security regimes are based on extensive legislative and regulatory frameworks governing the safety and security of nuclear material and radioactive substances, associated facilities and activities. This is backed by strong institutions and organizations with the requisite authorities, resources, skilled and trained human resource for EN effective implementation.

Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) is an independent and autonomous regulator. It regulates all civilian nuclear installations, nuclear safety class equipment manufacturers and nuclear service providers in the country under the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2001.

Nuclear safety and security considerations are important in the context of facilitating he expansion of nuclear energy while ensuring public confidence at the national level. Accordingly, Pakistan is constantly improving its nuclear safety and security infrastructure and related scientific and technical capabilities, including the fostering of robust safety and security culture.

A detailed report on Pakistan-IAEA Partnership for Strengthening South-South Cooperation, outlinging bialteral cooperation between Pakistan and IAEA in various fields such as health, food & agriculture, water resource management, industry and education may be downloaded from the below link.

→Report on Pakistan-IAEA Collaboration

List of IAEA’s Nuclear Safety & Security Related Conventions, Agreements & Processes, Pakistan is a Party

• Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM)
• Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (Amended)
• Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident
• Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency
• Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS)
• Acceptance of NUSS codes
• Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the International Atomic Energy Agency
• Regional Cooperative agreement for research, development and training related to Science and Technology (RCA)
• Revised Supplementary Agreement concerning the provision of technical assistance by the IAEA
• Voluntary Reporting to IAEA on Exports of any Np and Am to CSA States
• IAEA Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB)
• International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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