Year
2012
Abstract
Pakistan entered into the nuclear era in 1955 with the establishment of Council of Atomic Energy and became member of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1957. The safeguards history dates back to 1962 with an agreement signed for Pakistan's first research reactor supplied by USA. The indigenous development of nuclear fuel for Canadian Deuterium Uranium Reactor type reactor led to the development of full scale nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Two more nuclear reactors have been added and at the present, all nuclear power plants are under IAEA safeguards. After the nuclear tests conducted in May 1998, a robust command and control was established in 1999 and was formalized in Feb. 2000. Pakistan is a signatory to the Convention on Nuclear Safety. Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority was established in 2001 to ensure more organized methodology and to have an independent regulatory framework. Pakistan is a responsible state party following international instruments that contribute to the framework of nuclear safety and security regime. National Command Authority is the apex decision making body with Strategic Plans Division (SPD) as its Secretariat. Anything and everything that has to do with nation's nuclear capabilities is handled at SPD. Multi-tiered command and control structure formulates guidelines and control all aspects of Pakistan's nuclear programs. The Physical Protection Regime is primarily structured on fundamental principles of Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. The implementation is based on the concept of the multiple layered defense in depth and a strong ability to detect and defeat both insider and outsider threats. For Nuclear Material Control & Accountability NMC&A, a comprehensive system of rules and regulations has been enacted in accordance with IAEA guidelines and recommendations. The system at national level based on closed material balance method is in place at facilities for safeguards as well as for security purposes. Additional steps to modernize existing MC&A systems have been initiated to upgrade and make it more technology based to enhance its effectiveness. IAEA in a recent statement has declared the nuclear program of Pakistan safe and secure. It recognizes the obvious dedication to the safety and security of the regulators as well as operators.