ISLAMABAD: Pakistan was again elected to the board of governors of the 62nd session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for two years on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.
The IAEA is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. With its headquarters in Vienna, the IAEA reports to both the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
The agency’s programs encourage intergovernmental cooperation in the development of peaceful applications of nuclear energy, science and technology, provide international safeguards against the misuse of nuclear technology and nuclear materials, and promote nuclear safety (including radiation protection) and nuclear security standards and their implementation.
Scientists and engineers from Pakistan have contributed to the agency’s work in various fields, including in nuclear safety and security.
Earlier this year, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano visited Pakistan where he met with then prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Pakistan is currently building two new reactors near Karachi, which will have a combined capacity of more than 2000 MW of electricity. The two reactors are expected to be completed by 2021 and 2022.
According to the press release, Pakistan has been elected 19 times to the board of governors, “which is a recognition of (its) long-standing commitment to the aims and objectives of the IAEA in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy as well as its positive contribution to the formulation of IAEA’s policies and programs.”
Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem led the Pakistani delegation to Vienna, Austria, where the IAEA election was held.
In the past, Pakistan has also hosted IAEA-sponsored events for national as well as regional capacity-building for peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Pakistan is a founding member of the IAEA and enjoys a mutually beneficial collaboration with the agency on peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Pakistan elected to top atomic energy agency’s board of governors
Pakistan elected to top atomic energy agency’s board of governors
- Pakistan is one of 11 members elected to the board of governors
- Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem led his country’s delegation to Vienna, Austria
Pakistan concludes 60-hour joint military exercise featuring 19 states, including Saudi Arabia, US
- Exercise also featured participation from Turkiye, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan and Qatar, says military’s media wing
- Says exercise is designed to enhance professional military skills through exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences
ISLAMABAD: A 60-hour-long joint military exercise organized by Pakistan’s army concluded this week at the eastern city of Kharian, featuring participation from 19 countries including Saudi Arabia and the US, the military’s media wing said.
The 9th International Pakistan Army Team Spirit (PATS) Competition is a 60-hour-long patrolling exercise, which the Pakistani military says is designed to enhance professional military skills through the exchange of innovative ideas, tactical experiences and best practices among participating teams.
The exercise was held from Feb. 5-9 in the semi-mountainous terrains of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province, providing participants a “realistic and challenging operational environment.” Pakistan’s Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the closing ceremony of the exercise on Monday and presented awards to participants.
“Over the years, PATS has evolved into a prestigious and highly competitive military exercise, recognized for promoting professional excellence and mutual learning among participating nations,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said in a statement.
“The forum continues to strengthen military-to-military cooperation and understanding, while fostering camaraderie and team spirit in a demanding operational setting.”
This year’s exercise featured participants from 19 countries including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Turkiye, USA and Uzbekistan, the ISPR said.
Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand attended the exercise as observers while 16 domestic teams from the Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy, along with observers from the Pakistan Air Force also participated in the event.
Munir appreciated participating teams for their “exceptional professionalism, physical and mental endurance, operational competence and high morale” displayed during the exercise, the military’s media wing said.
“He emphasized the importance of such multinational engagements in enhancing collective preparedness and adapting to the evolving character of modern warfare,” the ISPR added.
Pakistan routinely holds joint air, ground and sea exercises with regional countries and traditional allies to foster interoperability to counter threats to global peace.
