RAWALPINDI: Yukiya Amano, Director General International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), visited Pakistan’s Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security on Wednesday. He was briefed on the training spectrum based on international best practices and standards on nuclear security, says an ISPR press release.
The DG IAEA in his remarks said, “It is very impressive that you organise the training in a very systemic and operational manner.”It may be mentioned here that Pakistan has been operating nuclear plants for almost five decades with commendable safety and security record. As a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan desires to contribute to the global cause of nuclear security. In pursuit of its vision, the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Nuclear Security has been established in 2012 to impart training in entire range of activities, directly or indirectly linked with nuclear safety and security.
During the Nuclear Security Summit 2012 held in Seoul, the CoE has been offered as a training hub to the countries in the region and beyond.The visit of DG IAEA to the Pakistan’s Centre of Excellence for Nuclear Security is an international recognition of the high standards of training and culture of excellence in the field of nuclear security of Pakistan. Nuclear security being the national responsibility, Pakistan accords the highest priority to it in all forms and manifestation.
Earlier, on his arrival, he was received by Maj Gen Muhammad Tahir, Director General Security, SPD.APP adds: The Director General IAEA also held a meeting with Federal Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid here. He appreciated Pakistan’s safe and secure operation of nuclear power plants and assured full cooperation in this regard.
The minister briefed the IAEA chief on the mandate and achievements of the Ministry of Science and Technology and its subsidiary research and development organisations. He highlighted the government’s holistic S&T Vision 2025. The government was not only working in the traditional fields but also in the emerging areas of science and technology, including nanotechnology, biotechnology and fuel cell technology with the idea to reorient the S&T sectors according to the need of the day, he explained.
The minister hailed the positive role played by the IAEA in health, agriculture and food safety sectors in Pakistan. The Secretary S&T, Kamran Ali Qureshi, PAEC Chairman Dr Ansar Parvez and heads of 15 organisations of the ministry were also present in the meeting.
Hanif Khalid adds: The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Dr Ansir Pervaiz said that Pakistan was the founding member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
While talking to The News, he said that Pakistan had been cooperating with the IAEA for over last 50 years for peaceful use of civil nuclear energy and Pakistani nuclear experts were in constant contact with the IAEA nuclear experts in this regard.
He said that this gave Pakistan benefit in such a way that Pakistan streamlined its programmes in accordance with the international level and especially followed the set guidelines of the IAEA in connection with nuclear design, operation and taking precautionary measures in this regard.
Dr Asir said that opinions of international experts were obtained by inviting them and full benefit was achieved through their experience. He said that although Pakistan had been working with the IAEA for over five decades, its nuclear scientists and engineers also visited the under-developed countries under the auspicious of IAEA and gave them useful suggestions and recommendations in this regard.
