CISS Webinar on “Fifty Years of Nuclear Power in Pakistan”

The Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) organized a webinar on “Fifty Years of Nuclear Power in Pakistan”, held on August 13, 2021, Friday at 2:30 pm (PKT).

Recording of the Webinar can be watched below

Press Release

ISLAMABAD, August 13, 2021: Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS) on Friday held a Webinar on “Fifty Years of Nuclear Power in Pakistan.” It highlighted the significant role of peaceful uses of nuclear technology in socio-economic development, pursuing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and addressing energy needs of Pakistan. Pakistan have decades long record of operating nuclear power plants. This webinar is conducted in connection with decommissioning of Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant, KANUPP.

CISS, the think tank deals with strategic and nuclear issues, underscored the need for constructing additional nuclear reactors to help meet the country’s rising energy demands as they curb greenhouse gas emissions and climate change through low-carbon electricity generation.

Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Mr. Muhammad Naeem, while echoing that sentiment, at the webinar by CISS titled ‘Fifty Years of Nuclear Power in Pakistan,” said that nuclear power is safe to operate and the inauguration K-2 is a milestone in Pakistan’s quest to increase the share of clean nuclear energy in national and global mix.

This year we have completed 65 years of our journey in the field of applications of nuclear technology for the socio economic development of Pakistan. This journey started in 1955 with medical centers, agriculture centers, R & D etc. 

2021 is also a very important year because we are celebrating 50 years of our nuclear power program. Also, this is the 50th anniversary of KANUPP-I and Inauguration of KANUPP-II by PM of Pakistan took place on 21 May, 2021. 

We were the 15th nation of the world who had this opportunity to have a nuclear power plant when we started our journey. At that time even Korea and China was not in the field when we started operating KANUPP in Karachi.

In 1974, when Buddha smiled on the other side of the fence, the embargos were there on Pakistan and KANUPP was the main focus at that time. We were told that either we sign the NPT or we will be denied the technical assistance, fuel etc. It was an opportunity in disguise because Pakistan started the journey of indigenization at that time.

It’s an honor for Pakistan and PAEC that since we started fielding these bundles to the KANUPP, not a single bundle had a failure in the reactor and I think that’s the biggest achievement. This shows our seriousness in the quality control at all levels.

Mr. Naeem also shared that another plant of 1100 MW output will become functional in the next 8-10 months. Both K-2 and K-3 power plants will provide 2200 MWs of uninterrupted and clean electricity to the national grid for the next 80 years.

Executive Director CISS, Ambassador Naqvi emphasized the increasing role of peaceful use of nuclear power capabilities in pursuit of socio-economic development.

Member Science PAEC, Mr. Masood Iqbal discussed the Nuclear Power and Corporate Social responsibilities. During Covid-19 pandemic, PAEC played an important role in helping the Pakistani nation by distributing ration bags among needy people in nearby villages. From Machhi Goth to KANUPP Karachi, PAEC spent about 16 million for road construction. 

PAEC also provides energy and electricity in the sense of solar tube wells, solar package to houses. One of the biggest achievement of PAEC is the development of technology to reclaim saline lands and then make a profitable use of such lands. 

PAEC is effectively working to contribute in the socio economic development of Pakistan. It has started Sarsabz-o-Shadab Pakistan program for environmental protection purposes.

Dr Ansar Parvez, former Chairman PAEC, argued that the Pakistan’s Nuclear Power Generation: Progress and Prospects peaceful application of nuclear technology in Pakistan is helping to pursue UN SDGs. The benefits of nuclear technology expand to different fields including medicine, health, agriculture, industry, water resource management and electricity production.

Dr. Parvez Butt, former Chairman PAEC reiterated that to keep pace with technological advancements across the globe, effective utilization of nuclear technologies is crucial for national development.

Webinar Report can be download here: https://ciss.org.pk/PDFs/50YearsofNuclear-WebinarReport.pdf

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