ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) would build two more nuclear power plants at Chashma and Karachi to fulfil the energy needs of the country, said PAEC chairman Parvez Butt.

Inaugurating a three-day workshop jointly organized by Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) and IAEA on “Safety Standards for Design of Nuclear Power Plants” here on Monday, he said, “Pakistan nuclear facilities are safe and secure.”

Mr Butt said PAEC has a proven nuclear safety track record as verified by world nuclear bodies like IAEA and World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), and backed by its 30 years of safe operations, it plans to set up two more plants.

Mr Butt said for attaining safe nuclear operations, PAEC has been at the forefront for promoting the establishment of an independent nuclear regulatory authority and after coming into existence of PNRA, it now fully comply with the guidelines provided by it.

Similar guideline functions were being performed previously by Directorate of Safety within PAEC, he maintained.

Mr Butt further said apart from PNRA, his organization works in close collaboration with IAEA and WANO for establishing safe operational practices and procedures.

“These world bodies, during the entire course of our nuclear power operations, have endorsed the safety of our plants through peer reviews and other professional evaluations, the chairman added.

PAEC said that after the Chernobyl accident, the safety regime and culture in nuclear operations was made enormously robust, vigilant and reliable. Thanks to these efforts, no nuclear accident occurred after that, he said.

Appreciating the significance of the workshop, Mr Butt said a sound design is the foundation of a safe nuclear power plant.

For being self-sufficient in nuclear plant operations, PAEC has set up its own training institutes like Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Karachi, Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering (KANUPP) and CHASCENT at Chashma which are providing adequate trained manpower for its operations, Butt maintained.—APP