ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Pakistan has established a robust nuclear security regime for the physical protection of its nuclear materials and facilities, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts found after concluding a comprehensive 12-day review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IAEA\u2019s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission conducted its first-ever evaluation of Pakistan\u2019s legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear security covering nuclear materials and facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mission noted that the security framework was appropriately implemented at the specific nuclear facility visited by the experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to an IAEA press release on Friday, the regime is continually improved through periodic reviews, while Pakistan\u2019s well-established capacity-building infrastructure actively benefits national, regional and international expertise in nuclear security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The seven-member mission team was led by Khammar Mrabit, a former director general of the Moroccan Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security. It included experts from China, Romania, the Russian Federation, Slovakia and two IAEA staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following their assessment, the team provided recommendations aimed at further enhancing Pakistan\u2019s nuclear security regime and its associated procedures. Several good practices were also identified at both regulatory and facility levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first IPPAS mission in Pakistan is completed successfully, marking the country\u2019s commitment in further enhancing regulatory and operational aspects of its well-established nuclear security regime,\u201d Karine Herviou, IAEA deputy director general and head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, said during the mission\u2019s closing ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPakistan\u2019s contribution to building the skills of the nuclear security workforce is commendable and has a far-reaching impact.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hosted by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) at the government\u2019s request, the mission aimed to assist the state in strengthening its national nuclear security regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHosting the IPPAS mission underscores Pakistan\u2019s unwavering commitment to maintaining a robust nuclear security regime across facilities and activities,\u201d said Zia Hussain Shah, chairman of the PNRA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe valuable insights provided by the international experts\u2019 team not only validate our robust physical protection measures but also offer an excellent baseline to further strengthen our legal and regulatory framework, national nuclear security regime, including facility-level practices.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
IPPAS missions provide peer advice on implementing international instruments and IAEA guidance regarding the protection of nuclear materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During these missions, international experts observe a nation\u2019s physical protection systems, compare them with international good practices and make recommendations for improvement on a nationwide and facility-specific basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The IPPAS team met with officials from the PNRA, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and other relevant national stakeholders. They also visited the Kanupp Decommissioning Project at the Karachi Nuclear Power Generating Station, Pakistan\u2019s first nuclear power plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Canadian Deuterium Ura\u00adnium reactor operated from 1971 until its permanent shutdown in 2021. The visit allowed the team to observe ongoing decommissioning activities and spent fuel storage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pakistan is a party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and ratified its 2005 amendment in 2016. This amendment significantly broadens the original scope, establishing obligations to ensure the physical protection of all peaceful nuclear facilities and materials during domestic use, storage or transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nuclear safety workshop<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority, in collaboration with the IAEA, successfully concluded a five-day National Workshop on Commercial Grade Item Dedication for nuclear safety-related applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Organised by the National Institute of Safety and Security, an IAEA Collaboration Centre, the workshop concluded on Thursday. It brought together regulatory staff, nuclear installation operators and supply chain stakeholders to discuss a process used when commercially manufactured items are considered for safety-related applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking on the occasion, PNRA Executive Member Shahid Rashid emphasised the importance of reliable and qualified equipment for the safe operation of nuclear installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFactors such as technological advancement, equipment obsolescence and the evolving global supply chain can affect the availability of specialised nuclear-grade components,\u201d Mr Rashid stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCommercial Grade Item Dedication provides an important mechanism for establishing confidence that commercially available items can meet the requirements for intended use in nuclear installations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PNRA noted the workshop contributed to strengthening Pakistan\u2019s capabilities in nuclear safety and supply-chain oversight, aligning strictly with applicable requirements and international good practices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Pakistan has established a robust nuclear security regime for the physical protection of its nuclear materials and facilities, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts found after concluding a comprehensive 12-day review. IAEA\u2019s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission conducted its first-ever evaluation of Pakistan\u2019s legislative and regulatory framework for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":134601,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n