Pakistan ready to strengthen its partnership with IAEA: PM

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, that has decades of experience in the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, is ready to further strengthen its partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) worldwide. With extensive experience and expertise in the nuclear field, Pakistan is well placed as a provider of services in various IAEA programmes and activities.

The views have been expressed by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday when he had meeting with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, in Prime Minister Office (PMO). Various issues related to cooperation between Pakistan and IAEA were discussed. The Prime Minister appreciated the positive role played by the IAEA in the promotion of peaceful uses of nuclear technology in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister briefed Amano about Pakistan’s energy development plans and the significance of nuclear power generation in the energy mix as a clean and environment-friendly source of energy. Pakistan looks forward to the Agency’s assistance in expanding nuclear power production.

The Director General of the IAEA will be visiting various civilian facilities and installations in Pakistan to see for himself the strides made by Pakistan in the application of nuclear technology in areas such as agriculture, health, industry, water resource management, environment protection and food safety.

Meanwhile the Prime Minister received Imam-e-Ka’aba Al-Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Muhammad bin Talib at PM Office and said that Pakistan greatly values its ties with Saudi Arabia, which draw its strength from religious affinities, historic bonds and mutual respect.

Imam-e-Ka’aba was accompanied by Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliky and other Saudi dignitaries. Minister for Communications Hafiz Abdul Kareem, Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousuf, Senator Professor Sajid Mir and senior officials were also present during the meeting.

The Prime Minister said the people of Pakistan have great respect for him and consider his visit as a matter of honor. The Prime Minister said that his visit would further strengthen the existing close and brotherly ties between the people of the two countries.

Imam-e-Ka’aba in his remarks thanked the Prime Minister and the government for the warm welcome and observed that the entire Muslim world considers Pakistan as its strength and takes pride in its accomplishments. Discussing the regional situation and the challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah, Imam-e-Ka’aba appreciated the efforts of Pakistan for promoting peace in the region. He appreciated the efforts and the steps taken by the government towards overcoming the menace of terrorism. He expressed his best wishes for the government and the people of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister conveyed warm wishes, on his own behalf and on behalf of the people of Pakistan, for Khadim Al-Haramain Al-Sharifain King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi government and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia.