Hira Bashir
The recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna marked a defining moment in Pakistan’s nuclear diplomacy. His engagement with Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi was not ceremonial; it reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the safe, secure, and responsible use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
During the visit, Grossi emphasized that Pakistan is “well placed” to assist other member states in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. As head of the world’s principal nuclear watchdog, his statement reflects confidence in Pakistan’s regulatory maturity, operational experience, and growing civilian nuclear expertise.
Pakistan’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL), operating under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), was designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre. INMOL already recognized as a Centre of Excellence and Referral Centre in the Asia-Pacific, is equipped with advanced technologies such as PET imaging, IMRT, VMAT, multiple LINACs, SPECT-CT, and theranostics including Lu-177 and Y-90. This demonstrates how nuclear technology is improving healthcare and saving lives. INMOL has also led the training of doctors and the provision of advanced treatments, earning recognition across multiple medical disciplines.
PAEC’s nationwide network of cancer hospitals performs over one million diagnostic and therapeutic procedures annually. Beyond healthcare, institutions such as the National Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) illustrate the role of nuclear techniques in agricultural development. Nuclear methods have produced high-yield, disease-resistant crop varieties, supported integrated pest management programs, and enabled food irradiation, enhancing millions of acres of farmland.
Pakistan has actively aligned its nuclear program with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, emphasizes that nuclear technology contributes directly to all 17 SDGs. Pakistan became an SDG member in 2015, and its parliament formally endorsed the SDG framework to align national development priorities with global goals. The country has strategically integrated nuclear technology to address energy, healthcare, and agriculture, and climate challenges.
Nuclear power provides a clean, affordable, and reliable source of electricity. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear energy emits virtually no greenhouse gases helping mitigate climate change. Pakistan currently operates six nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 3,530 MWe. In 2023–2024, nuclear plants supplied over 2.17 TWh to the national grid, accounting for 17% of total electricity generation. This low-carbon electricity prevents billions of tonnes of CO₂ emissions, reduces air and water pollution, protects ecosystems, and supports sustainable livelihoods. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recognizes nuclear power as critical for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Nuclear energy thus contributes directly to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), while supporting other goals such as health and food security.
Pakistan’s nuclear program has consistently earned high appraisal from the IAEA and other international bodies for compliance with safety protocols and regulatory standards. Even as a non-member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Pakistan is considered a responsible partner in nuclear cooperation. The IAEA chief’s visit to Pakistan in September 2025, recognized the country’s “peaceful nuclear program progressing at a good pace” under strong regulatory oversight.
The timing of the Prime Minister’s Vienna visit is significant. Globally, nuclear technology is re-emerging as a key pillar in climate and energy strategies. For Pakistan, expanding nuclear power is critical to diversifying energy production, meeting growing demand.
Yet political obstacles remain. The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), which regulates nuclear trade and prevents proliferation continues to exclude Pakistan despite its safeguarded civilian facilities and strengthened export controls. The NSG’s credibility was questioned in 2008 when India received a country-specific waiver for civil nuclear cooperation despite its non-NPT status. Selective exceptions affect technological access, economic opportunities, and regional strategic balance. Pakistan advocates for a non-discriminatory, criteria-based NSG membership for all non-NPT states, guided by objective safeguards rather than political convenience.
Grossi’s recognition that Pakistan is “well placed” to support other states in peaceful nuclear applications highlights that technical competence and responsible conduct are visible on the global stage. The challenge remains in aligning political frameworks with this technical reality.
The Prime Minister’s Vienna visit consolidated Pakistan’s position as a responsible nuclear state committed to development-oriented cooperation. By linking nuclear capability with energy security, climate mitigation, healthcare, agriculture, and water management, Pakistan demonstrates the tangible human and environmental benefits of nuclear science. Even without NSG membership, this integrated model strengthens international partnerships and stresses the potential for inclusiveness.
The writer is Associate Research Officer at Center for International Strategic Studies Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
