Pakistan Seeks Fair Access to Peaceful Nuclear Energy

New Desk 

New York: Pakistan has reiterated its call for equitable and non-discriminatory access to civil nuclear technology to help meet its growing energy needs, while reaffirming its firm commitment to nuclear safety and security.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly during a debate on the annual report of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Pakistan’s delegate Syed Atif Raza, Counsellor at the Pakistan Mission to the UN, said removing barriers to fair access to civil nuclear cooperation was “of fundamental importance.”

“There is a need to eliminate discrimination inherent in existing non-proliferation arrangements and establish a framework for promoting peaceful nuclear energy under appropriate international safeguards,” Raza emphasized.

At the session, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi presented the Agency’s annual report, which covered its work in Ukraine, Iran, and Syria, as well as efforts to enhance nuclear safety, security, and verification mechanisms worldwide.

The report also highlighted IAEA initiatives in health, food security, environmental protection, and women’s participation in the nuclear industry through the Marie Curie and Lise Meitner fellowships.

Raza underscored that Pakistan adheres to the highest standards of nuclear safety and security, fully consistent with IAEA guidelines. He stressed that verification commitments must not be politicized, adding that the credibility of the IAEA’s safeguards regime depends on its non-discriminatory application, as stipulated in the Agency’s Statute.

“Attacks on safeguarded nuclear facilities undermine the IAEA’s verification system and contravene international law, the UN Charter, and relevant IAEA resolutions,” he cautioned.

Highlighting Pakistan’s extensive experience in operating a secure and fully safeguarded nuclear power programme, Raza noted that the country currently operates six nuclear power plants with a combined capacity of 3,530 megawatts. In 2024, nuclear energy contributed 18% of Pakistan’s total power generation, accounting for 34% of its low-carbon energy and preventing an estimated 15 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

Concluding his remarks, the Pakistani delegate reaffirmed Islamabad’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with the IAEA and other member states to advance peaceful uses of nuclear energy in support of global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

“Pakistan stands ready to further enhance its partnership with the IAEA and Member States to realize our collective objectives for a safer, cleaner, and more equitable energy future,” Raza said.