ISLAMABAD, March 12: The network of radiation detectors is being expanded around the country under an exports control upgrade for interdicting the smuggling of nuclear fuel.

Several new radiation monitoring portals were being installed to strengthen export controls, an official told Dawn after a meeting presided over by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar that reviewed nuclear safety.

“The meeting was briefed on the deployment of ‘special nuclear material’ (SNM) portals at key exit and entry points to deter, detect and prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive material,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.

The term SNM refers to highly enriched uranium and weapon-grade plutonium which can be employed as a primary ingredient in nuclear explosives.

The portals are thought to be the second line of defence against smuggling of nuclear and radiological material through ports, border crossings and other designated locations.

The meeting, the statement noted, was part of the country’s efforts to augment the security of nuclear and radioactive material and to strengthen export controls.

The review, described by an official as a continuous process, took place ahead of a nuclear summit scheduled in Seoul this month, where preventing illicit trafficking of nuclear materials would be a major theme.

The summit, to be attended by 53 countries, including Pakistan, and international organisations is being billed as the largest gathering for deliberating on international cooperative measures to protect nuclear material and facilities from terrorist groups. It takes place at a time of growing fears that terrorists might restart to use smuggled nuclear material for acts of terror.