May 10, 2005	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 1, 1426

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ISLAMABAD, May 9: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is utilizing nuclear technology in a wide range of socio-economic domains such as cancer treatment, agricultural productivity, quality control techniques for product competitiveness and industrial support services.

This was stated by Dr Masud Ahmed, Member (Physical Sciences), PAEC, while inaugurating a one-week international technical moot of experts titled ‘New Techniques in Sealed Sources and Radiotracer Preparation, Injection and Data Logging’ on Monday.

The conference is being attended by noted scientists from 10 regional cooperation agreements-member countries and has been jointly organized by the PAEC and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“Based upon our engagements and accumulated expertise in a wide range of nuclear-related applications in socio-economic spheres and our impeccable safety and compliance records, Pakistan is one of the largest recipients of the IAEA technical assistance,” Dr Ahmed said.

In recognition of its world-class facilities, some of the labs in Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (Pinstech) had been declared as Regional Resource Unit of IAEA while Isotope Application Division labs were on the accredited list, he said.

Dr Ahmed said radioisotope techniques had a technical superiority over the conventional non-nuclear diagnostic techniques in terms of economy, efficiency and convenience.

He appreciated the role of IAEA in establishing and promoting this technology and cooperating in other link areas of common interest with member states which aimed at enhancing industrial efficiency, global environment, recycling of resources, safe exploration, exploitation and utilization of indigenous and natural resources, health and food security.

Speaking on behalf of the IAEA, Dr Joon Ha Jin said the agency would continue to provide training and related equipment to member countries for enhancing their capability to gain dividends from the diverse applications of radioisotopes.

Another prominent scientist from IAEA, Dr Andries Hills said the workshop would result in considerable knowledge gains for the participants as it was designed for practical interaction and exchange of experience.

In his welcome address, Pinstech Director-General Dr Mustansar Jehangir said Pinstech as regional resource unit of IAEA was honoured to hold this international conference and it would continue to be hub of regional activities for mutual benefits of member countries.

Dr Riffat Qureshi, Head, Radio Isotope Application Division, Pinstech, said this meeting of international experts on the use of radiotracer technique for exploration and exploitation of mineral resources was first of its kind and that they looked forward to more such events.