The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors unanimously approved a safeguards agreement with Pakistan for Unit 5 of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, the Foreign Office said on Wednesday, reflecting continued international confidence in Islamabad’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and compliance with non‑proliferation obligations.
Under the deal, IAEA safeguards will be applied to Chashma Unit‑5, a 1,200‑megawatt pressurised water reactor currently under construction and expected to become operational by 2030, the ministry said. Once completed, the unit is projected to contribute a significant new source of low‑carbon electricity to Pakistan’s national grid, bolstering energy security and supporting climate and sustainable growth goals.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar posted on X that the agreement underscores “the international community’s continued confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and its adherence to global non‑proliferation and safeguards obligations.”
Pakistan currently operates six nuclear power plants with a combined installed capacity of about 3,530 MW, and nuclear energy accounted for over 18 percent of the national electricity mix last year, according to the Foreign Office. It said the country has more than 100 reactor‑years of operational experience under international safety and safeguards standards.
The approval follows a meeting in Vienna last month between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, where Pakistan reaffirmed support for the agency’s role in promoting safe and responsible use of nuclear technology.