PM IAEA chief: Pakistan's nuclear plants, reactors under IAEA safeguards

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday told Yukiyo Amino, visiting director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Pakistan is a committed nuclear non-proliferation state and its current nuclear power plants and research reactors are under IAEA safeguards. Yukiyo Amino, who had arrived here Monday for talks with Pakistani leaders on cooperation in the use of peaceful nuclear technology. Pakistan had conducted nuclear tests in 1998 in a tit-for-tat response to its arch-rival India. "Pakistan has very close cooperation with IAEA since 1957, under the 'Atoms for Peace' initiative and all obligations are being fulfilled adequately," Sharif said. Pakistani officials said the country has a very productive and mutually beneficial relationship with the IAEA and is already one of top recipients of its technical cooperation. As a member of the IAEA Board of Governors, Pakistan is also contributing to the agency's decision making, the Foreign Ministry said. "We value this cooperation for peaceful uses of nuclear technology as the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has benefited significantly from IAEA's program on cancer therapy and control in member states," Prime Minister Sharif said in his talks with Yukiyo Amino. He said Pakistan, with the help of IAEA, is making use of nuclear technology in several areas including power generation, medicine, agriculture, food preservation and water management for the benefit of its people. "Given Pakistan's severe energy crisis, our Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is actively expanding its power production potential," he said. The prime minister appreciated the positive role played by the agency in the development of peaceful use of nuclear technology in Pakistan, for human resource development in various scientific disciplines as well as establishing Research & Development facilities at different centers in the country. "Every year, a large number of our scientists and engineers benefit from IAEA- sponsored activities under National and Regional Projects and share their knowledge and experience in specific fields. Similarly, our experts render valuable services to other IAEA member states," he added. The IAEA director general appreciated Pakistan's commitment to use of nuclear energy for the benefit of its people and extended his support for the cause.