Year
2005
Abstract
All nuclear related activity in Pakistan including production and management of fissile material and other nuclear materials is under the control of the Federal Government. IAEA guides lines are generally followed for the accountability and physical protection of fissile materials. India followed by Pakistan carried out their nuclear tests in 1998. Since then both countries are apparently engaged in restructuring their organizational set up to meet the needs of new realities and to assure the international community that they are mature and responsible nuclear weapon states. Pakistan Government has already introduced important changes in the procedures for the handling of fissile material in order to make sure that it remains secure and does not fall in the hand of un-authorized individuals and other third parties. While Pakistani administration is engaged in progressive improvements, it is desirable that more advanced counties, particularly USA, may offer technical assistance so that appropriate measures can be put in place more expeditiously. However there are difficulties and constraints to start this cooperative effort. This paper will attempt to describe the present practices for the material handling in Pakistan, the procedural and legislative improvements being introduced, the areas where USA could offer some assistance, the hurdles in way of cooperation and recommendations to overcome these difficulties.