Federal Minister for Science and Technology Muhammad Azam Khan Swati has said that Pakistan is committed to play its role in meeting global challenges by contributing in nuclear science and technology. The Federal Minister was addressing IAEA Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology: Addressing Current and Emerging Development Challenges at Vienna, Austria. He said Pakistan took an early start on peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. It is almost sixty years since Pakistan with the help of IAEA realized the enormous potential of nuclear science and technology for sustainable socio-economic development of its people. The Federal Minister said being a developing country with fast growing population, Pakistan is facing multifaceted development challenges. Nuclear Science and Technology is effectively contributing to country’s efforts to meet these development challenges particularly in human health, food security, energy availability and clean environment. He said energy is key input to socio-economic development. Five operating nuclear power plants in country are contributing about 5% to national electricity grid at competitive rates and in reliable manner. In future, Pakistan needs a large amount of food, water and energy for sustainable socio-economic development of its people. Pakistan will expand its use of nuclear science and technology in energy, human health and food security., he said. The Federal Minister said with requisite experience Pakistan is now in position to support other embarking countries on safe, sustainable and secure use of nuclear technology for socio-economic development and addressing challenges of future, he said. ***** ?