Key Takeaways
- Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Chairman PAEC, spoke at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna.
- Pakistan’s nuclear power plants generate 3,530 MW of electricity, avoiding 15 million tons of CO2 emissions annually.
- PAEC will host the 4th International Nuclear Science Olympiad in 2027.
Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), addressed the Plenary Session of the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, highlighting Pakistan’s contributions to peaceful nuclear applications.
He emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to the IAEA’s mandate, focusing on the peaceful uses of nuclear technology for sustainable socio-economic development.
Dr. Anwar highlighted the role of nuclear power in energy security and climate action, noting that Pakistan’s six operating nuclear power plants are generating 3,530 MW of electricity, thereby avoiding approximately 15 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The Chairman also discussed the progress on the Chashma-5 (C-5) Nuclear Power Plant, stating that it is set for early completion of dome placement.
In the healthcare sector, Dr. Anwar mentioned that Pakistan has 83 nuclear medicine and radiotherapy facilities, including 21 PAEC cancer hospitals, providing advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment.
PAEC’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) was designated as an IAEA Collaborating Centre in April 2026, further enhancing Pakistan’s capabilities in this field.
Dr. Anwar also spoke about Pakistan’s contributions to food security and water resource management, noting the roles of the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) and the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) as IAEA Collaborating Centers.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to nuclear safety and security, highlighting the roles of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS), and Pakistan Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS) in national and international capacity building.
Dr. Anwar announced that Pakistan will host the 4th International Nuclear Science Olympiad in 2027, following the success of Pakistani students in winning one gold and two silver medals at the 3rd INSO in Saudi Arabia.
