Staff Reporter
Islamabad
A delegation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in country since December 4, concluded its visit on Saturday and commended nuclear security measures taken by Pakistan.
The International Atomic Energy Agency delegation, led by head of IAEA’s Nuclear Security Division Raja Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan, was visiting the country to further strengthen the ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and IAEA in the field of nuclear security, said a statement released by the Foreign Office. Pakistan has consistently implemented nuclear security measures recommended by the international atomic watchdog and the visit was part of IAEA-Pakistan Nuclear Security Cooperation Programme mutually agreed in 2005. The programme was extended in 2011 to include additional areas of interest.
All the activities under this programme are coordinated by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, added Foreign Office. During his visit, Raja Adnan visited the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant and met with senior officials of PNRA and the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. “Nuclear security is a state’s responsibility and Pakistan has undertaken a range of measures to strengthen it.” The Foreign Office further added that Islamabad not only benefits from the ongoing nuclear security cooperation but “has also been offering various services to the Agency in this area in the form of expertise and participation in different IAEA advisory groups and committees”.
Islamabad also regularly hosts various international and regional courses in collaboration with IAEA, said the Foreign Office.
Pakistan, over the last few decades, has also created a comprehensive nuclear regulatory regime encompassing physical protection of nuclear materials and facilities, fissile material control and accounting, transportation security, prevention of illicit trafficking, border controls, and mechanism to deal with radiological emergencies.
