China's National Day and Nuclear Energy & Scientific Development in Pakistan

First October is celebrated as China's National Day with great fervour and enthusiasm. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) offers heartiest felicitations to the Chinese people and expresses its optimism for the steady progress in Economic Corridor Plan as well as the Nuclear Cooperation for Peace.
The modern China of today is the result of the sacrifices rendered by millions of people who wrote a remarkable history of an undying struggle under the guidance of their great leader, Mao Tse-tung. China used to be a sleeping nation. Mao Tse-tung's leadership raised this nation to a glorious place in the world. Pakistan was one of those pioneering nations that recognised China. Chairman Mao in comradeship of Prime Minister Chou En-lai developed a society based on the principles of equality in China and bestowed the masses with a respectable position within the society. Mr Deng Xiaoping led China on the highway to advancement and development. Today, China under the leadership of President Xi Jinping is regarded as the largest economic power in the world. Friendship between China and Pakistan is higher than Himalaya, deeper than the ocean and sweeter than the honey. Mr Xi Jinping has already declared Pakistani nation as the Steel Brothers. Last year he visited Pakistan and inaugurated numerous projects under Economic Corridor worth USD 45 Billion.
Despite nuclear sanctions imposed on Pakistan, China stepped forward to Nuclear Cooperation for Peace with Pakistan. China is providing a Nuclear Power Plant to Pakistan to help her overcome its power shortage problems. Prime Minister of Pakistan inaugurated two 1,100 MW nuclear power plants last year to be built in collaboration with China.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was established in 1965 with a mission to serve the nation that initiated a number of projects of national significance as well as the public welfare benefiting from modern scieance. Pakistan had launched its Civilian Nuclear Power Plant in Karachi as early as 1972. The power plant named as Kanupp elevated Pakistan's status in nuclear power technology sector as one of the leading developing nations. The journey started with the launch of Kanupp was led forward with two more nuclear power plants at Chashma in Mianwali with generation capacity of 325 MW each. Both these power plants are operating perfectly with excellent generation capacity at lowest generation cost of single digit as compared with the other power generating units of different sources within the country. Two more nuclear plants of 340 MW each are under construction in Chashma as well. It is a notable fact that both these plants will be completed before scheduled time and start generation in 2016/2017. Furthermore, planning work for building three more power plants of K-2 and K-3 types has already been completed.
Groundbreaking of K-2 was a landmark in the nation's nuclear history that is going to be first Generation-3 plant in Pakistan. The project as well as other plants at Chashma are some of the glaring examples of Pak-China cooperation in Nuclear Energy for Peace for the welfare of Pakistani people. It is only because of the all-weather friendship and cooperation between both brotherly nations that we have come to this pass. After its completion, the project will not only supply power to national grid and in turn make significant contribution to the national economy but will also help the industrial sector progress in Pakistan. Government of Pakistan has assigned a generation target of 8,800 MW to PAEC till 2030 and we are confident to achieve the target and successfully generate 40,000 MW of electricity in line with Vision 2050 of NCA. PAEC is in the process of planning and identifying potential sites for installation of nuclear power plants. Some of the sites have already been identified in different provinces of the country and necessary research and development work is already underway for acquisition of land.
As of now, 18 Nuclear Medical & Oncology Centers, 4 Nuclear Agricultural Centers and an international standard university named Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences (PIEAS) is operating in different areas of Pakistan. Institutes for building skilled workforce have been established in Karachi and Chashma. PIEAS University is ranked as No 1 engineering institute in Pakistan.
Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH) kicked off in 1963 that led to the establishment of a number of divisions for research and development in modern science in the country. Launching of Research Reactor in 1965 as well as some other programs on development of Radio Isotopes, examination of underground water, higher education & training were also materialised in the same vein. Establishment of National Institute of Laser Optronics (NILOP) for research and development in laser technology not only paved the way for making Pakistan self-sustainable in this sector but also helped it meet the needs of some strategic organisations as well as the utilisation of laser of technology in agriculture sector and to introduce a number of laser products including but not limited to Laser Land Leveler Transmitter, Laser Therapy Unit and others.
PAEC has established Cancer Hospitals in all major cities of Pakistan for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It is also mentionable here that 80% services of diagnosis and treatment are being provided through these hospitals run by the Commission and around 800,000 people benefit annually from these cancer hospitals. PINSTECH has also developed its capacity to build isotopes for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Previously, these isotopes were imported from abroad at a heavy cost and being short on life there always remained a danger for these isotopes getting ineffective even before use. With the regular supply of locally developed isotopes to hospitals saving of the millions of dollars of foreign exchange has been made possible.
PAEC has been providing treatment facilities of cancer and other related diseases using nuclear and other techniques since its early days to ensure effective and timely treatment of these critical conditions right here in Pakistan. In pursuant of the objective first Cancer Hospital was built in Karachi in 1960 followed by the establishment of 18 hospitals so far in major cities of the country where most advanced facilities of diagnosis and treatment of cancer are being provided to the patients. Plans for building some more hospitals and cancer treatment centers are underway. An awareness program for prevention and protection against cancer is also being run diligently to educate people on potential reasons of the lethal disease as well as training and building the capacity of health workers for timely diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
PAEC's cancer hospitals are equipped with most advanced international standard tools and the facilities like Oncology (Radiotherapy/ Chemotherapy), Nuclear Medicine (scanning of different body organs, radionuclide and PET scanning), Diagnostic Radiology (X-Rays, Ultrasonography, CT Scan, Dexa Scan, mammography), clinical pathology, PCR and others are provided with the help of highly qualified and experienced doctors and scientists. Mobile Breast Cancer Clinics are also conducted in remote areas to diagnose patients and raise awareness. These clinics educate people about the curability of cancer as well as the need for early diagnosis and a variety of information about its reasons, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Teaching and training services are also provided to medical students as well as doctors and specialists at PAEC's cancer hospitals. MS degree programs in Nuclear Medicine, Radiation & Medical Oncology and Medical Physics are being offered as a result of the partnership between Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences and PAEC's Cancer Hospitals that have facilitated the provision of best treatment to cancer patients all across the country.
PAEC is also benefiting from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) for keeping its medical institutes abreast with international standards and equipping them with latest high quality facilities. Pakistan is a founding member of IAEA and a number of projects have been completed in cooperation with the Agency in Pakistan. Pakistan has also briefed IAEA on the benefits of its experiments. Some other countries of the region including the members of SAARC and Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) have also benefited from our expertise in Nuclear Technology for improving their health facilities and training their professionals and doctors.
PAEC has also achieved multiple successes in agriculture and biotechnology sectors with its untiring hard work and dedication. Just six years after its establishment, first Agriculture Research Centre of PAEC launched its operations to produce new varieties of crops with better produce and improved immunity against pesticides as well as the seeds in a bigger size. Special attention was given to the varieties cultivable in areas with low water supply as well as salinized lands.
Currently, agriculture research institutions are operating in Faisalabad (Punjab), Tando Jam (Sindh) and Peshawar (KP). National Institute of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) has also been working in Faisalabad since 1994. These institutes have introduced 22 types of cotton, 20 types of wheat and 88 types of different crops including sugarcane, rice, peas and other that have helped the country overcome its food shortage problems.
Nayab-87, a variety of cotton developed by the Commission and approved in 1983 was cultivated in 70-80 percent cotton cultivating area of the country which revolutionised the agriculture economy in Pakistan. Bio-Control Technology has helped the country save tens of millions of rupees over the years to be spent on pesticides. A Desalination Project has been launched at Pakka Aana in Faisalabad spreading over 1000 acres of land that not only provides farmers with technology but also supplies a variety of plants cultivable in these areas. Bio-fertiliser has been introduced with highly positive results in enhancing crop produce and reducing the use of chemical fertilisers. Facilities for conducting different types of tests are also being provided to enhance Pakistan's exports and meet international obligations including genetic test on Basmati Rice that is internationally acclaimed now. A wide range of measures including vaccination and balanced diet has also been taken to ensure animal health as well as enhancing their productivity.
Enhancing the export value of Pakistani products strongly requires them to be strictly according to international export standards and properly sterilised. PAEC, for this purpose, has established Pakistan Radiation Services in Lahore where Gama-Radiation is used for agriculture and industrial purposes by protecting them against rot to enhance their life.
Sponsorships by different universities have been arranged for higher education in agriculture and biotechnology. Qualified persons from the Commission are selected for M.Phil and Ph.D studies in their relevant fields while labor force receives specially designed training. All these four agriculture institutions conduct over 40 workshops and trainings every year so that the workforce could be increased. These institutions have played an important role in enhancing food security and nutrition value in the country.
Precious gems discovered from Northern Areas are processed through radiation to diversify their colors and give them finishing touches of brightness and elegance which enhances their value and demand in international market. Radiation techniques are also used for sterilisation of surgery instruments as well as the equipment used in pharmacy.
It may be noted here that a complete record of Radiation Sources used for agriculture and other purposes is maintained and all these processes are performed under tight surveillance to pre-empt any sort of misappropriation.
Another important agency of PAEC is National Center for Non-Destructive Testing (NCNDT) which enables it to examine the manufacturing and utilisation processes of different machines for any defects. It has acquired specialised skills in testing through Ultrasonic and Magnetic particles. These services are also provided to other organisations in the country as well while trainings are imparted for issuance of licenses to qualified persons for using these facilities.
It is also mentionable here that PAEC has established strict quality control standards for all its institutions while special training courses are organized for staff members for quality management to maintain high standards of the organisation through PIEAS University, Islamabad and the Training Institute of Kanupp in Karachi. At the same time, more than 300 research papers are written every year at PINSTECH and other research institutions. Separate Quality Control Divisions have been established in all institutions of PAEC while a phase-wise checklist is followed for quality evaluation. Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) being an autonomous body thoroughly examines and inspects all institutions of the Commission engaged in radiation processes as well as the trainings imparted to their workers and then issues an authorisation. Generally, people have their own fears of radiation while in reality it is not something to be afraid of. Instead standardised controls and checking processes may turn radiation into a process resulting in so many benefits. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is keeping up with its tradition of serving the nation day and night whole-heartedly and with utmost devotion and looks forward to meeting the nation's expectations under all circumstances.