Serving as the catalytic framework for Pakistan’s civilian nuclear infrastructure, President Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace initiative initiated an enduring journey for national development. Pakistan’s civilian nuclear programme is a multi-pronged initiative that is enhancing energy security, medical treatment, agricultural productivity, and scientific research. While notable advancements have been made by Pakistan, much more can be accomplished given the potential of its civilian nuclear sector.
Electricity generation is the biggest dividend of civil nuclear technology in Pakistan. As of now, six commercial nuclear reactors are operating in the country with a total capacity of 3,530 MWs. These include KANUPP‑2/3 at Karachi and CHASNUPP‑1 to 4 at Chashma. Additionally, Pakistan is developing a new reactor, Chashma‑5, of approx. 1,200 MWs capacity. These projects are primarily assisted by China under the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA’s safeguards.
Along with power generation, the country has made remarkable strides in other civilian uses of nuclear technology, including healthcare, agriculture, and environmental research through its robust nuclear infrastructure and strategic initiatives.
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is providing services in the health sector, which has resulted in twenty Atomic Energy Cancer Hospitals (AECHs) throughout the country. These hospitals cater to 80 per cent of the country’s cancer burden, treating 1 million patients annually either free of cost or at subsidized rates. The provision of low-cost and cutting-edge healthcare advancements showcase Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging nuclear technology for national development.
Moreover, nuclear technology is being used to overcome food shortages by improving the agricultural and industrial sectors. Four Nuclear Agriculture Institutes are working under the PAEC, including the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), the Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB), the Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the National Institute for Biology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE). These institutes conduct research on critical areas of agriculture, including plant breeding and genetics, plant protection, and soil and environmental science to develop crop varieties, improve soil/water management, and elevate food security.
On top of that, two research reactors, PARR-1 & PARR-2, are working at the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH) Laboratory. They facilitate the generation of radioisotopes, which are widely employed in medical, industrial, and other applications. For example, commercial radioisotopes such as Molybdenum (Mo-99) and its decay product, Technetium (Tc-99m), are used in the majority of diagnostic medical procedures. So, these facilities not only cultivate technical training and material characterisation but also underpin sustainable development initiatives across multiple sectors.
Pakistan has also made significant advances in the use of nuclear technology for disaster resilience, prevention, and management, particularly in response to climate change challenges. Nuclear technology is utilized for site characterisation, geothermal resource analysis, soil erosion from watersheds and cultivated fields, sedimentation in dam reservoirs, and environmental monitoring.
While much has been accomplished, much more can still be done to augment Pakistan’s civil nuclear sector. One major impediment in realising the full potential of this sector is the fact that although nuclear energy is inexpensive overall, nuclear projects demand substantial upfront cost and long implementation timelines. Pakistan’s current economic outlook may not be able to support this high level of initial cost. Although Pakistan has a Nuclear Energy Vision 2050 for the generation of 40,000 megawatts of electricity, however it requires economic stability first, which can slow down progress in this regard.
Additionally, since Pakistan has been denied membership of the Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) as a non-NPT state, it has limited access to international partners in this domain, unlike India, which was facilitated with an NSG waiver owing to its alignment with the US as a net security provider in the region against China. This is despite the fact that there are periodic concerns regarding nuclear security in India owing to nuclear theft and nuclear trafficking. In contrast, the safety and security of nuclear installations in Pakistan has remained exemplary supported by the statement of IAEA’s Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi who affirmed that Pakistan’s nuclear power programme is one of the most successful in the world.
Though Pakistan has been consistently assisted by China in the civil nuclear energy domain by China, under the grandfather clause, there is a need to explore avenues which can help expand its international engagement while also enhancing the relationship with China. In this regard, Pakistan needs to strengthen its nuclear diplomacy and continuously convey to the international community that its nuclear programme is safe, secure, and responsibly managed. There is also a need to assess the feasibility of public-private partnerships so as to increase financing options to ensure sustainable progress.
Therefore, while Pakistan has made notable progress in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, much more can still be accomplished. By executing these interventions, Pakistan can endeavour to unlock the potential of nuclear energy to accelerate sustained national development to its optimal level.
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