ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to maximize nuclear technology for peaceful purposes during his interaction with the top agency official, his office said on Wednesday.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is visiting Pakistan on a two-day official visit to meet key political leaders, attend seminars and visit a nuclear power generation site.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, promotes the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology worldwide. Pakistan has collaborated with the agency since 1957 and operates a civil nuclear power program under IAEA safeguards.
While Pakistan is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has voluntary safeguards agreements with the IAEA and actively works to ensure its nuclear facilities comply with international safety standards.
“The PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to further strengthening its collaboration with the IAEA to harness the full potential of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,” the PM office said in a statement following Sharif’s meeting with Grossi in Islamabad.
“During the meeting, the peaceful applications of nuclear technology in various sectors including cancer diagnostics and treatment, agriculture, food preservation, water management and industry were discussed.”
It added that Sharif praised the UN nuclear watchdog’s efforts in promoting nuclear energy to combat climate change, highlighting Pakistan’s “productive and mutually beneficial partnership” with the IAEA over the decades.
“With the IAEA’s support, Pakistan has made significant progress in nuclear power generation, industrial development, health care, and agricultural advancements, contributing to the country’s socio-economic growth,” the PM office said.
The statement added that Grossi appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive and longstanding” engagement with the UN nuclear watchdog, saying the IAEA would continue working with Pakistan in the same spirit.
Pakistan, a member of the IAEA Board of Governors, has been advocating for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), arguing that its nuclear program meets international safeguards standards.
The South Asian country actively participates in IAEA conferences, policy discussions and technical workshops, demonstrating its commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.
Pakistan PM vows to deepen cooperation with IAEA for peaceful nuclear use
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Pakistan PM vows to deepen cooperation with IAEA for peaceful nuclear use
- The top IAEA official Rafael Mariano Grossi is visiting Pakistan on a two-day official visit
- He will meet political leaders, attend seminars and visit a nuclear power generation site
Pakistan police arrest 12 suspected militants in operations across Punjab
- CTD says suspects linked to RAW were planning attacks on sensitive sites and worship places
- Raids in Lahore, Faisalabad and Bahawalpur yielded explosives, IEDs, detonators, weapons
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s counterterrorism police said on Monday 12 suspected militants allegedly linked to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) were arrested in coordinated intelligence-based operations across three cities in Punjab province.
The arrests come as authorities repeatedly accuse external networks, including Indian spy agencies, of backing militants involved in such violence.
The raids were carried out in Lahore, Faisalabad and Bahawalpur, where police said they recovered weapons, explosives, detonators, seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs), safety fuses, mobile phones and cash from the suspects.
A Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) spokesperson said the group was planning attacks on sensitive installations and places of worship.
“The operation was initiated after investigators traced a Facebook ID named Adil, reportedly being operated from India by RAW handlers,” CTD said in a statement.
“The terrorists had been recording videos of sensitive locations and worship places and sending these videos to RAW operatives via WhatsApp ... According to officials, all the detained suspects were receiving financial support from RAW.”
The CTD said cases have been registered against all 12 suspects and further investigation is underway.
Pakistan has witnessed an uptick in militant attacks in recent years, particularly in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan provinces, where security agencies blame groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).
