For more than five decades the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has developed a nationwide network of twenty Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals, the recent one constructed in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These hospitals treat over 40,000 new cancer patients every year where around one million cancer-related procedures performed annually. Together, they treat approximately 80 percent of the country’s cancer burden.
At COP30, nuclear energy emerged as a key solution for global clean-energy transitions. For Pakistan, expanding nuclear power, especially through Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), offers a path to cleaner, reliable electricity, despite challenges like high costs and restricted technology access.
The World Bank’s decision to lift its decades-old ban on nuclear energy financing marks a turning point for developing nations. For Pakistan, this policy shift offers a rare opportunity to tackle its chronic energy crisis through clean, affordable, and reliable nuclear power. By aligning with the IAEA’s safety standards, engaging with World Bank institutions like IFC and MIGA, and integrating nuclear expansion into its national climate goals, Pakistan can position itself at the forefront of sustainable energy transformation.