ISLAMABAD: The International Atomic Energy Agency has designated the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL), Lahore, as its collaborating centre in Pakistan.
The agreement in this regard was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in Austria, on the sidelines of a special event at the United Nations Office in Vienna.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also present on the occasion, said a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office media wing on Tuesday.
The INMOL is a major public-sector cancer hospital and medical research centre in Lahore, established in 1984 by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).
It is part of PAEC’s network of Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals and focuses on the peaceful application of nuclear technology to healthcare.
Pakistan’s support for IAEA
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also held a meeting with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) during which he reaffirmed Islamabad’s support for the UN nuclear agency and its efforts to promote the responsible and peaceful use of nuclear technology in areas such as cancer diagnosis and treatment, agriculture, nuclear power generation, and industrial applications.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi, and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch were also present at the meeting.
During the discussion, the prime minister commended the strong and longstanding partnership between Pakistan and the IAEA.
He noted that while Pakistan benefits from the IAEA’s Technical Cooperation Programme, it also actively contributes to the Agency’s work by providing experts and hosting international training programs for IAEA Member States.
Director General Grossi acknowledged Pakistan’s extensive experience in the peaceful applications of nuclear technology and praised the high caliber of its engineers, scientists, and technicians.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s contributions in the areas of nuclear safety and security, observing that the country is well-positioned to assist other IAEA Member States in advancing peaceful nuclear applications.
Honored to welcome Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the @IAEAorg today.
His visit underscored Pakistan’s commitment to the safe and responsible use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
Proud to designate 🇵🇰’s Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL)… pic.twitter.com/z7jutDxZVv
— Rafael Mariano Grossi (@rafaelmgrossi) February 16, 2026
He further expressed his anticipation of Pakistan’s active participation in the Nuclear Energy Summit scheduled to be hosted by France in March 2026.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also signed the “UNODC Country Programme for Pakistan (PAKCP4)” with Acting Executive Director John Brandolino.
At the United Nations Office in Vienna, Ishaq Dar also signed the “UNIDO Programme for Country Partnership Pakistan 2026–2030” alongside Yuko Yasunaga, Deputy Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Witnessed by the Prime Minister, the agreement underscores Pakistan’s strong commitment to UNIDO and its continued engagement with the wider UN system.
