Pakistan’s nuclear security framework has received international recognition after an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert team completed its first-ever physical protection review of the country’s nuclear materials and facilities. Following a 12-day assessment, the team described Pakistan’s nuclear security regime as robust while recommending further improvements to its rules and procedures.
The review examined Pakistan’s legislative and regulatory arrangements for nuclear security. It also assessed the implementation of physical protection measures at a specific nuclear facility visited by the experts.
IAEA Experts Assess Pakistan’s Nuclear Security Framework
The IAEA’s International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) conducted the assessment at Pakistan’s request. The mission aimed to help strengthen the country’s national nuclear security arrangements and evaluate their alignment with international guidance and good practices.
According to the mission’s findings, Pakistan has established an appropriate framework for protecting nuclear materials and facilities. Moreover, the team noted that authorities continue to improve the system through periodic reviews.
Pakistan’s established capacity-building infrastructure also benefits from national, regional and international expertise in nuclear security. During the assessment, experts identified several good practices at both regulatory and facility levels.
However, the mission also provided recommendations to strengthen Pakistan’s nuclear security arrangements further. These recommendations covered the country’s broader security regime and its associated procedures.
The seven-member delegation was led by Khammar Mrabit, former director general of Morocco’s Agency for Nuclear and Radiological Safety and Security. The team included experts from China, Romania, the Russian Federation and Slovakia, alongside two IAEA staff members.
IAEA Officials Highlight Pakistan’s Commitment
Karine Herviou, IAEA deputy director general and head of the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security, addressed the mission’s closing ceremony. She highlighted the significance of the assessment and Pakistan’s commitment to improving its nuclear security arrangements.
“The first IPPAS mission in Pakistan is completed successfully, marking the country’s commitment in further enhancing regulatory and operational aspects of its well-established nuclear security regime,” Karine Herviou said.
She also praised Pakistan’s contribution to developing expertise in nuclear security.
“Pakistan’s contribution to building the skills of the nuclear security workforce is commendable and has a far-reaching impact.”
Meanwhile, Zia Hussain Shah, chairman of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), welcomed the international assessment. He said hosting the mission demonstrated Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining strong security arrangements across nuclear facilities and activities.
“Hosting the IPPAS mission underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to maintaining a robust nuclear security regime across facilities and activities,” Zia Hussain Shah said.
He added that the findings would support further improvements to the country’s regulatory framework and facility-level practices.
“The valuable insights provided by the international experts’ team not only validate our robust physical protection measures but also offer an excellent baseline to further strengthen our legal and regulatory framework, national nuclear security regime, including facility-level practices.”
Experts Visit Karachi’s Nuclear Decommissioning Project
During their visit, the IPPAS experts met officials from the PNRA, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and other relevant national stakeholders. They also inspected the Kanupp Decommissioning Project at the Karachi Nuclear Power Generating Station.
The facility housed Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant, which operated using a Canadian Deuterium Uranium reactor. The reactor began operating in 1971 and remained operational until its permanent shutdown in 2021.
The visit allowed experts to observe ongoing decommissioning work and spent fuel storage arrangements. These activities formed part of the mission’s examination of nuclear security practices at the facility.
IPPAS missions help countries assess their physical protection systems against international instruments and IAEA guidance. During these reviews, experts examine national arrangements, identify effective practices and recommend improvements.
Their recommendations can address nationwide security arrangements as well as measures specific to individual facilities.
Pakistan’s International Nuclear Security Commitments
Pakistan is a party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material. It also ratified the convention’s 2005 amendment in 2016.
The amendment significantly expanded the convention’s original scope. It established obligations concerning the physical protection of peaceful nuclear facilities and materials during domestic use, storage and transport.
The latest IPPAS mission provided an opportunity to assess Pakistan’s legislative and regulatory framework against relevant international guidance. At the same time, the recommendations offer areas for further strengthening the country’s existing arrangements.
PNRA and IAEA Complete Nuclear Safety Workshop
Separately, the PNRA and the IAEA have completed a five-day national workshop on Commercial Grade Item Dedication for nuclear safety-related applications. The workshop concluded on Thursday and brought together regulatory staff, nuclear installation operators and supply chain stakeholders.
The National Institute of Safety and Security organised the event. The institute serves as an IAEA Collaboration Centre.
Participants discussed how commercially manufactured items can be assessed before authorities use them in nuclear safety-related applications. The process helps establish whether such equipment meets the requirements for its intended purpose.
PNRA Executive Member Shahid Rashid highlighted the importance of reliable and qualified equipment in maintaining the safe operation of nuclear installations. He also pointed to challenges affecting the availability of specialised nuclear-grade components.
“Factors such as technological advancement, equipment obsolescence and the evolving global supply chain can affect the availability of specialised nuclear-grade components,” Mr Rashid stated.
He explained how the assessment process can help address these challenges.
“Commercial Grade Item Dedication provides an important mechanism for establishing confidence that commercially available items can meet the requirements for intended use in nuclear installations.”
According to the PNRA, the workshop helped strengthen Pakistan’s capabilities in nuclear safety and supply-chain oversight. It also supported alignment with applicable requirements and international good practices.
Together, the IPPAS review and the nuclear safety workshop highlight ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s nuclear security, regulatory oversight and equipment qualification practices.
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