Nuclear energy: a viable option

In response to the editorial published in daily Business Recorder on October 2, 2014, titled "An undesirable option", first I would like to thank the editor for earnestly quoting the Chairman PAEC; I may then add that the apprehensions expressed therein about nuclear power are likely based on misunderstandings that need to be clarified.
While the three significant accidents in the 50 years history of the global nuclear power industry are frequently cited, it is often not quoted that none of them resulted in any immediate radiation related casualties among the members of the general public. For the most recent one, at Fukushima, in the studies released by the WHO and UNSCEAR, even long-term cancer fatalities have been estimated to be almost negligible.
It should also be very clear that nuclear waste is never "dumped". On the contrary, it is handled very carefully and many types of barriers are employed to ensure that it remains fully secured. Nuclear power plants store all of their spent fuel in very safe and strong structures, and it is relatively easily managed because of the very small quantities involved.
KANUPP and the new nuclear power plants to be built near Karachi are sited at an elevation which is much higher than the tsunami height projected for any worst possible scenario including the recently held UNESCO exercise which simulated tsunami height. Similarly, the site has been evaluated comprehensively for seismic risks. And the plants have been designed to withstand the worst possible seismic event. A lot of expense is made to provide required strength to the structures and equipment. The plants also have further safety measures employed to deal with other conceivable hazards.
The policy of moving away from nuclear power in some European countries is largely a result of their domestic ideological politics and not based on objective criteria. They are paying an enormous economic penalty for this ideological choice, which perhaps their affluent populace can afford. Why should we not quote other developed countries such as the USA, the UK and Russia, and many others with economic development as the primary concern, who are actively pursuing the nuclear power option. This includes countries with well established programmes such as China, India, South Africa and Argentina, as well as new entrants such as the UAE, Turkey and Jordan.
Many scientific studies and experiences have shown that nuclear power is the most pollution free and environment friendly base-load electrical energy generator, with even lower overall health risks than most renewable energy sources. When the risks and benefits of nuclear power are weighed rationally against other electricity production mechanisms, it is clear that nuclear power has the merits to play an increasingly important role as a credible, safe and economically viable option, globally. There is no reason why Pakistan should deprive itself of this option.