Pakistan’s nuclear journey

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Karachi, K-2 and K-3 .

 

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Pakistan Aims To Promote Peaceful Use Of Atomic Energy

September 22, 2021
Zainab Asif

Vienna, (APP ) – 21st Sep, 2021 : Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Muhammad Naeem, NI, HI, SI, during his address at the 65th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) highlighted the contribution of nuclear technologies to Pakistan’s socio-economic development.

The conference was presently underway in Vienna from September 20-24, said a message received here.

He said that Pakistan strongly supports the Agency’s role in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology in accordance with its motto “Atoms for Peace and Development”.

He also said that Pakistan is forging ahead to expand the share of nuclear power in the national energy mix not only to meet its growing energy needs but also to mitigate the impact of climate change as nuclear power is a carbon free and reliable source of energy.


He recalled that Pakistan had achieved another milestone with the inauguration of its sixth and the largest nuclear power plant of ‘1100 megawatts, Karachi Nuclear Power Plant K-2.

Another such power plant K-3 is expected to become operational in April 2022.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment for running a safe and secure civilian nuclear programme, he said that Pakistan has placed all its nuclear power plants and research reactors under the IAEA Safeguards without exception.

He said that nuclear applications are also being used in Pakistan in the areas of health, agriculture, industry and environmental protection, ranging from cancer treatment to developing climate change resistant crops.

Pakistan is among the founding members of the IAEA and regularly serves on its board of Governors. It has not only benefited from but also contributed to the Agency’s technical cooperation programme over the years aiming at promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

 

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Pakistan Showcases Achievements in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technology.

Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Muhammad Naeem and Head of Turkish Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK) Prof. Dr Abdulkadir Balikci Inaugurated Pakistan’s national exhibition stand at the annual General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, today.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the IAEA Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, he highlighted the ways in which nuclear technology was contributing to Pakistan’s socio-economic development and paid tribute to scientists and engineers of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

The exhibition stand seeks to showcase Pakistan’s achievements in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology in diverse fields such as power generation, health, agriculture, industry and environmental protection.

The exhibition stand will remain functional during the entire week of the IAEA’s General Conference and will be visited by international delegates, staff of the IAEA and other interested visitors.

As a founding member of the IAEA, Pakistan has enjoyed longstanding mutually beneficial cooperation with the organisation mandated to promote the peaceful uses of nuclear technology.

 

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Pakistan elected as member of Board of Governors of IAEA

September 23, 2021


Pakistan has been elected as a member of the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the next two years.

A Pakistani delegation led by the Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission attended the IAEA's General Conference in Vienna, Austria where the election was held.

Confirming this in a tweet, Pakistan's embassy in Vienna said, Pakistan remains committed to Agency’s work in promoting peaceful uses of nuclear energy in keeping with its mandate “Atoms for Peace and Development

 

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AQ Khan, founding father of Pakistan nuclear program, has passed away at the age of 86.

For many Pakistanis, however, Khan remains a hero who strengthened Pakistan’s national security against any nuclear threat.
AQ Khan gave us a tremendous blessing and a tremendous responsibility -

it seems fair to say Pakistan has shouldered it well. We've become less capricious & more just since becoming the Ummah's sole nuclear protector.

 

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"Gentlemen, let's test some nukes."

Defence Cabinet Committee decides to go ahead with the tests, 1998.

 

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The original letter written by Munir Ahmed Khan on January 2' 1975 and hand-carried to S.N. Burny (Administrator, PAEC) asking him to go to a certain address in Karachi and inquire about Dr. A Q Khan's arrival from Holland. The house in question was the residence of Dr. Khan's sister.

- Reproduced in 'Long Road to Chagai' by Shahid-ur-Rehman

 

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Pakistan’s journey for peaceful nuclear energy

by The Frontier Post

Pakistan’s Nuclear Power Plant, K-3 has completed loading of nuclear fuel to its second 1,100 megawatt nuclear power plant after getting a formal fuel load permit from Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA).

According to reports, Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit-3 (K-3) is in the final stages of commissioning after satisfactory operational and safety tests. The plant is expected to begin its operation by the end of March 2022. The official statement revealed that with the introduction of K-2 and K-3 into the national grid, the share of nuclear power in the energy mix of Pakistan will exceed 10 percent of total energy requirements of the Country.

The energy deficient Pakistan had been struggling for economical and sustainable energy resources to fulfill its energy needs during recent years. However, being a non-signatory state of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) largely remained reluctant to trade in nuclear plants or material with Pakistan, which restricted Country’s ability to develop its civil nuclear energy capability in the past.

However, People’ Republic of China (PRC) remained steadfast in its support to Pakistan by providing necessary technical and financial assistance to fulfill energy needs through peaceful nuclear energy. Presently, Pakistan has five operational Nuclear power plants having production capacity of 2242 MWe which constitutes about 8% of total energy requirements of the country. After completion of K-3 Nuclear Power Plant, additional 1104 MWe will be added into mainstream, thus the share of nuclear energy in the national electricity grid would reach at 10 percent of total consumption.

China-Pakistan technical cooperation in the Nuclear Power Generation Program of Pakistan began with the signing of Agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy between the two countries in 1986. Later, Pak-China cooperation was further strengthened through a contract between China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for construction of a 325 megawatt Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) at Chashma in December 1991.

After successful completion of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 and 2, Pakistan and China set a discourse for construction of two 1100 MWe Nuclear Power Plants at Karachi during 2013. The recent fuel loading in the K-3 Nuclear Reactor marked an important milestone that coincided with three decades of successful nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Presently, Pakistan is actively working to achieve the goal of 8800 MWe Nuclear energy production through domestic sources by 2030. The Government of Pakistan is in consultation with IAEA for provision of IAEA’s nuclear safeguards for its nuclear power plants including Chuchma1 & 2, K2 and K-3, which would further pave the path for IAEA’s cooperation with Pakistan in the Nuclear Energy field. In fact, Pakistan is planning to construct several nuclear reactors to meet its rising energy demands, to curb greenhouse gas emission and counter products of climate change through low carbon electricity generation in the country.

Recently, Pakistan has signed an agreement with IAEA to enhance collaboration with IAEA’s member states for peaceful use of Nuclear energy in the field of agriculture, health, training and regulatory affairs.

Currently, Pakistan is in a position to benefit the world from its knowledge and expertise in the atomic energy realm and hopefully it will achieve self-sufficiency in the use of peaceful nuclear energy in coming years.

 

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(1) Israel's Mossad bombed German, Swiss firms to stop Pakistani nukes - report | Pakistan Defence

 

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Dr. Nazir Ahmad (a former President of PAS) speaking at the Scientists meeting in Swat on August 27, 1965.

L to R : Dr M. Raziuddin Siddiqi, President M. Ayub Khan, Prince Aurangzeb and Prof. Abdus Salam.

 

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https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=426684702520125

 

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Envoys of several African countries visited PIEAS and the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology as part of science diplomacy outreach and promotion of scientific collaboration with African countries.

 

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Dr. I H Usmani (1917-1992) eminent physicist of Pakistan signs Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Dr I. H Usmani was among the pioneers of nuclear energy and technology in Pakistan. He was an effective administrator, visionary, mentor and a tireless perfectionist.
He was appointed The Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PEAC) by then president Ayub Khan in 1960.
Date: 1968

 

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Dr. Usmani played a pivotal role in establishing the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), now a leading establishment for research, training and capacity building. - File Image


Pakistan’s eminent physicist, Dr I. H Usmani was among the pioneers of nuclear energy and technology in Pakistan. He was an effective administrator, visionary, mentor and a tireless perfectionist.

Ishrat Hussain Usmani was born on April 15, 1917. He graduated in Science from the Muslim University in Aligharh and did his Masters in Physics from Bombay University.

In 1939, young Usmani moved to Imperial College, University of London for a doctorate. He wrote his thesis entitled “A study of the growth of compound crystals by electron diffraction” under the supervision of renowned physicist Niels Bohr – The Nobel laureate and founder of the atomic model. He was also taught by G P Thomson, the Nobel laureate son of Professor J. J Thomson. Interestingly, he did his PhD in Physics within two years; he was only 23-years-old when he successfully finished his PhD.

In 1942, He also passed the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination with distinctions and served as District Officers at Madras Presidency from 1942-47.

After the independence, Dr. Usmani moved to Pakistan where he was appointed as chief controller of imports and exports and served in various Governmental designations.

A visionary for nuclear science and technology

In 1959, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto – then a young minister of Ayub Khan’s Cabinet – appointed I. H. Usmani as a member of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PEAC) and upon the request of President Ayub Khan, took charge of the chairmanship of the PEAC in 1960.

Almost immediately, Dr. I. Usmani worked towards enhancing the PEAC as a world renowned organization. He used various practical and innovative strategies in a scientific manner to develop high-class manpower, up-to-date instruments and state-of-the-art facilities.

He selected 50 individuals with masters’ degrees in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering and Geology on merit basis for the orientation of the nuclear science and technology program. These scientists were named Officers on Special Training (OSTs) and then sent abroad for doctoral and post-doctoral research in esteemed universities and institutes abroad. For this vision, Usmani put in immense effort and resources; using even his personal contacts all across the world.

He produced at least 400 bright minds in various disciplines of nuclear sciences and technology in a very short span. It was then that the well-educated and dedicated team of experts ushered in a new era of research and development in the country. He was the only person in Pakistan’s history to have created the largest galaxy of experts in nuclear-related fields.

As a strong proponent of peaceful usage of nuclear technology, he launched multi-dimensional programs to produce nuclear energy, research and development to address national needs by using radio isotopes in health, agriculture and industry.

Dr. I. Usmani fully utilized the services of OSTs and established nuclear centers in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Tando Jam, Dhaka, Chittagong, Memon Singh.

These state-of-the-art centers paved the way for research and development in metallurgy, agriculture and the health industry with the help of nuclear technology. Even today, the country-wide cluster of nuclear diagnostic centers, the new variety of crops and precision engineering are fruits of his vision and efforts.

Dr. Usmani also served as vice-chairman of the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO); setting the foundation of the country’s national space agency.

He also played a pivotal role in establishing the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH), now a leading establishment for research, training and capacity building – Dr. Usmani spent many a late night on this, his dream.

As a determined leader, he enthused world renowned architect Edward Stone to design and construct the PINSTECH building. Edward Stone fused eastern architecture with the modern labs building; giving it a likeness to the Taj Mahal. The building was dubbed as “Best of both the worlds” by Time Magazine. It also holds a research reactor.

Dr I. H Usmani left the PEAC in 1971 and turned the commission into the world’s leading research organisation for the peaceful utilisation of nuclear power.