Apr 03 , 2016
News
Pakistan committed to nuclear security, says Fatemi
nniWASHINGTON: Pakistan is committed to the objective of nuclear security and has been engaged with the international community to promote nuclear safety and security, said a special assistant to the prime minister on Saturday.
Addressing the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi said that Pakistan ensured that nuclear and radioactive materials and all related facilities were secured in all places. He said the Nuclear Security Summit reinforced the nuclear security culture as an area of special focus. He said that as a responsible nuclear state Pakistan took nuclear security very seriously and accorded it the highest priority in its security construct. He said that Pakistan’s nuclear security paradigm evolved over the years and now it was effective and responsive against the entire range of possible threats.
Fatemi said that focus on nuclear security should further enhance international cooperation on peaceful applications of nuclear technology. He said that Pakistan had an elaborate programme to harness nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. He said that Pakistan’s Energy Security Plan included Nuclear Power Programme 2050 to meet the present and future energy needs of a growing population and economy.
According to Pakistan’s national statement at the Nuclear Security Summit, the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process contributed to improved nuclear security by raising a greater awareness about it. The process reinforced the nuclear security culture as an area of special focus. Valuable ground was covered in strengthening the nuclear security architecture worldwide through national efforts.
The statement says nuclear security is a national responsibility. Effective measures taken at the national level contribute to nuclear security internationally. The nuclear security regime in Pakistan is dynamic and reviewed and updated regularly.
In line with the commitment made at the 2014 NSS, the statement says, Pakistan has ratified the 2005 Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM). This is a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s confidence in its national nuclear security regime, which is consistent with the contemporary international standards.
The statement says that confidence in safety and security of nuclear and radiological materials and associated facilities should facilitate collaboration in health, industry, agriculture and other sectors. Post-NSS 2016, focus should be on broadening participation in efforts towards promoting nuclear security through the platform of IAEA, which has primacy and the competence in such matters.
The statement says that Pakistan’s nuclear security regime is based on national legislative, regulatory and administrative framework. The elements of nuclear security in Pakistan include a robust command and control system led by the National Command Authority (NCA), rigorous regulatory regime, comprehensive export controls and international cooperation. “We follow the principle of multi-layered defence to prevent and effectively respond to the entire spectrum of threats,” the statement says. “Pakistan has established a specially trained, highly skilled and well-equipped force for nuclear security. Dedicated intelligence provides depth to our security architecture. Continuous threat appraisal and institutional reviews are conducted to upgrade response mechanism,” it adds.
According to the statement, “The regulatory regime encompasses all matters related to nuclear safety and security, including physical protection of materials and facilities, material control and accounting, transport security, prevention of illicit trafficking, border controls, and plans to deal with possible radiological emergencies through an elaborate Nuclear Emergency Management System (NEMS). Pakistan’s export control regime is on a par with the standards followed by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and Australia Group. The international cooperation, consistent with our national policies and international obligations, helps in voluntary sharing of best practices and experiences in the security domain.
“As part of its nuclear security regime, Pakistan has established a Centre of Excellence on Nuclear Security (PCENS). Working together, PCENS, the National Institute of Safety and Security (NISAS) and the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) provide exhaustive education and training in areas including physical protection, material control and accounting, transport security, cyber security and personnel reliability. These training facilities continue to grow into a regional and international hub, with support of the IAEA.
“In collaboration with the IAEA, the PCENS has conducted several regional and national training courses. Pakistan hosted the annual meeting of the ‘International Network of Nuclear Security Support Centres’ in March 2016, which was the first meeting of the Network held outside the IAEA Headquarters, Vienna.
“The PNRA and PAEC maintain dedicated units to provide technical and scientific support services at the national level to ensure equipment lifecycle management and to provide assistance in case of any nuclear security event. These units are equipped with necessary laboratory tools, equipment, software and expert support.
“Pakistan attaches great importance to nuclear safety at all levels. Safety parameters, emergency preparedness and response, and operators’ training protocols and procedures are continuously reviewed and enforced. The approach to ensure safety of nuclear power plants is in accordance with national regulatory system,” the statement adds.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk