Pakistan seeks to use Nuclear Technology to meet energy needs

Pakistan seeks to use Nuclear Technology to meet energy needs

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday urged the international community to give Pakistan access to nuclear technology for peaceful uses on a non-discriminatory basis. 

Speaking at the dinner on the first day of the two-day second Seoul Security Summit here, the prime minister said the nuclear technology was required to meet Pakistan’s growing energy needs and its National Command Authority had approved Nuclear Power Programme
for 2050 to increase energy production from the nuclear source. 

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan had taken effective measures at national level which were the most important part of its efforts to enhance nuclear security. 

He said the international community had to move together and learn from each other to protect the nuclear assets and ensure their safety and security. 

Referring to the importance of the second Nuclear Security Summit being held in Seoul, the premier said, "As we meet here, we break new ground on the evolving global nuclear security architecture, the role of the IAEA, and protection of nuclear materials
and radioactive sources." 

"Our concerns on these vital issues put a roadmap in our hands for concerted national actions and international coordination to enhance nuclear security," he added. 

Prime Minister Gilani said last year the IAEA Board of Governors unanimously approved the safeguards agreements of the two civil nuclear power plants of Pakistan that showed that the international community’s continued confidence in the safety and security
standards maintained by the country. 

Gilani said in South Asia, Pakistan was pursuing strategic restraint and confidence building through dialogue and this process should guarantee security and stability in the region. 

He said Pakistan had been active in international diplomacy to promote nuclear security. 

"We have supported the work of the global initiative to combat nuclear terrorism and our reports to the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 Committee have shared details of the measures we have taken to secure sensitive materials and technologies," he said. 

The prime minister said Pakistan had also developed a strong nuclear emergency response mechanism, nuclear and radiological emergency coordination centres work closely with the first responders. 

He said, "We have been implementing Nuclear Security Action Plan in cooperation with the IAEA and the plan reinforces physical protection of nuclear medical centres and civilian nuclear plants." After the Fukushima accident, Pakistan carried out comprehensive
stress tests of the nuclear power plants and refined and improve the safety parameters, he added. 

The PM said Pakistan had been deploying Special Nuclear Material (SNM) portals at key entry and exit points to detect, deter and prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials. 

Gilani said the democratic government of Pakistan was fully committed to nuclear security. 

"We have focused especially on capacity building and interaction with the international community," he added. 

The prime minister said since the Washington Summit, swift movement had been seen in the field of nuclear security. 

He said, "Together, we have taken steps to create a secure world that will not live under the fear of nuclear terrorist attacks. We firmly believe that nuclear material must never fall into the hands of terrorists." 

The prime minister said the world leaders had invested political capital to create greater awareness about nuclear security and instill a sense of urgency in their efforts. 

Referring to the first Nuclear Security Summit, the prime minister said three years ago in Prague, President Barack Obama took the historic initiative to convene a Nuclear Security Summit to set the common objectives for nuclear security and the Washington
Summit was a great success in this regard.

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Posted by Ammar Ahmad on Mar 27 2012. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry