Pakistan-IAEA Nuclear Security Cooperation

Nuclear safety and security are subjects of global nuclear governance. Public safety and confidence in peaceful nuclear technology are more important than theft, sabotage, or unauthorized application of nuclear and other radioactive materials. With evolving threats, no country can be dependent only on equipment and procedure. It requires trained human capital, effective institutions and cooperation among nations. Nuclear security focuses on acts of harmful intent, as opposed to nuclear safety, which is mainly concerned with preventing nuclear accidents. Both need supervision, but neither is the same. Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is a practical basis for addressing these challenges.  In this context, Pakistan has ensured its cooperation with the IAEA, as evidenced by persistent international recognition. 

Pakistan and the IAEA’s cooperation started in 1957 and has grown through various commitments and sustained cooperation in nuclear safety and security over decades. In 1994, Pakistan signed the Convention on Nuclear Safety (CNS), which was enforced in 1997. Then it acceded to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM) in 2000 and was enforced in the same year. The legal framework for the protection of nuclear material and facilities were further strengthened by the ratification of 2005 Amendment of the CPPNM in 2016. The next step in this partnership was producing skilled professionals for which Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS – established in 1997) introduced postgraduate nuclear security courses specifically designed to integrate technical information with security culture, including the customs, duties and consciousness that mold day-to-day behavior.

In 2001, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) was founded as an independent federal regulatory body.  The National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS) was then formed by PNRA in 2014.  In 2022, IAEA designated NISAS as a Collaborating Center for nuclear security education, training, and technical support. Since then NISAS in cooperation with the IAEA conducted more than 30 regional, national, and international courses in its specially equipped laboratories for physical protection, access control, and radiation detection. Furthermore, Pakistan has also contributed to specialized training and international knowledge sharing under the Pakistan Center of Excellence for Nuclear Security (PCENS), which was established in 2012. All these efforts have made Pakistan a responsible state because sustainable security is not just about getting technology but also building professionals who can use, assess and improve it.

Now the world is digitalizing and each technology brings unique challenges. For instance, monitoring can be improved through digital technology by allowing remote inspections in hard-to-reach areas, but, brings cybersecurity threats such as cyberattacks, data theft, and communication failure. Radioactive materials are vital globally in industry, medicine, research, and academia, necessitating safe and secure transportation for radiation safety and nuclear security. However, physical inspections are not always feasible in special conditions such as pandemics, natural disasters, or regions with difficult geography and security risks, exemplified by Balochistan (46% of Pakistan’s area). In this regard, the regulatory researchers from PNRA at the IAEA’s International Conference on Safe and Secure Transport of Nuclear and Radioactive Material (Vienna, March 2026) also presented this case, examining the Virtual Inspection (VI) system for the transportation of radioactive material in Balochistan. However, cybersecurity and connectivity challenges were also concerned, and measured that why emerging technologies must be examined carefully, rather than treating innovation as a substitute for independent verification, in future cooperation.

So here, some priorities are measured that are needed in strengthening nuclear security through long term professional development, practical training, and enhanced coordination among institutions. IAEA and Pakistan needs to cooperate on joint training on computer security, threat assessment, and incident response needs to be strengthened through practical exercises which could ensure that the procedures will work under pressure. A greater cooperation is needed among the institutions of nuclear security in providing long-term career prospects for young researchers, regulators and instructors. The quality of the training programs must be ensured rather than the quantity of the programs, while joint exercises that include the involvement of the regulator, nuclear facility operators, and emergency response teams must be practiced on regular schedules. This will improve communication, support coordination among institutions, and make the emergency responses more effective.

Furthermore, Pakistan’s experience in protection of the radioactive materials that are used in hospitals and industries can contribute in strengthening its regional cooperation through knowledge sharing. Pakistan can conduct joint training programs, expert exchanges, and practical workshops at international level to improve the security practices of the countries, while protecting sensitive information. Such step would enhance the expertise of the practicing countries and strengthen the protection of radioactive materials in the region. Through continued international cooperation and enhancing professional expertise, maintaining transparent regulatory oversight, Pakistan can build on its achievements, contribute to a safer and more secure use of nuclear technology at home and beyond.

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Opinion Desk.