Daily Times

When the global nuclear watchdog turned 60 last year, it decided to celebrate by reminding member states of its motto: Atoms for Peace and Development. That message was reiterated when the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited Pakistan this week to check safety protocols.

Fortunately, the country received a clean chit. Yukiya Amano confirmed the security of nuclear power plants operating in Karachi — Kanupp II and III. He also noted the ongoing electricity crisis in the country and commended Pakistan’s partnership with the IAEA.

This is positive news. And the road to reinvention as a responsible nuclear nation has not been an easy one. Thus this opportunity for public image building must not be squandered. Especially considering that Pakistan has a friend in Mr Amano, who was elected to the top spot back in 2009; with this week’s visit being his second to the country. For the IAEA chief has long contended that the industrialised North should not have the monopoly on nuclear power.

All of which benefits Pakistan. Particularly given its focus on harnessing nuclear technology for agricultural purposes as well as for healthcare, especially in terms of treating certain cancers. But above and beyond this, it is hoped that the nuclear watchdog’s positive assessment on security will once and for all quell the American fearmongering that is wont to raise its head every so often as it speculates upon the country’s atomic weapons falling into terrorist hands. Seemingly believing its own hype, a previous White House administration had reportedly whispered of a secret programme that would see the Americans swoop in and secure and neutralise these weapons of mass destruction if the worst were to happen; meaning that if a pro-US regime were overthrown by particular non-state actors.

Yet such concerns have always been drastically overblown. For of one thing everyone is sure: Pakistan’s generals may, from time to time, interfere with the democratic process; whether from centre-stage or otherwise. But they will absolutely not allow anyone to mess with the weapons programme. After all, it is not only the uniformed who believe this is what keeps Pakistan safe from external aggression.

And the IAEA thinks our military men are doing a swell job. *

Published in Daily Times, March 17^th 2018.