European Nuclear Research Body Reviews Pakistan’s Progress in Science and Technology
August 29, 2025 – Islamabad
A high-level delegation from the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) conducted a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s advancements in science and technology during a visit from August 24 to August 28, 2025, the Foreign Office (FO) announced on Friday.
CERN, one of the world’s foremost and most respected scientific research institutions, was established in 1954 based on the principle of “science for peace.” Pakistan became an associate member of CERN on July 31, 2015, and has since contributed significantly to various CERN projects. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) acts as the lead agency in the collaborative efforts between Pakistan and CERN.
During the week-long visit, a team of five top experts from CERN met with the chairman of PAEC and toured multiple eminent science and technology institutions across Pakistan. The Foreign Office issued a statement detailing that the visit aimed to assess Pakistan’s progress in the scientific and technological fields.
The institutions visited by the CERN delegation included the National Centre for Physics, the Heavy Mechanical Complex-3, the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, the National Institute for Laser and Optronics, and other advanced research facilities.
Through its associate membership with CERN, Pakistan has reaped significant benefits by advancing scientific knowledge, encouraging technological development, and training a new generation of scientists and engineers. In 2022, a CERN task force also held meetings with various Pakistani entities to review the progress made under the associate membership program.
The relationship has facilitated increased engineering contracts that support CERN programs, benefiting Pakistan’s industrial sector as well as human resource development. Moreover, the collaboration has enabled the sharing of crucial techniques and technologies in key scientific areas, providing multiple intellectual and practical advantages for the country.
The Foreign Office underscored that the ongoing partnership with CERN has been a cornerstone in Pakistan’s pursuit of scientific excellence and technological innovation, further solidifying its role on the global scientific stage.
About CERN:
Established in 1954, CERN is headquartered near Geneva, Switzerland, and stands as a leading international laboratory for particle physics research. Its mission emphasizes collaborative scientific discovery aimed at fostering peace and innovation across the world.
Pakistan and CERN Collaboration Highlights:
- Associate membership since July 2015
- Contributions to key CERN scientific projects
- Leadership by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
- Institutional partnerships involving national research centers
- Enhancement of Pakistan’s scientific workforce expertise
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