ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: Nuclear power is one of the most established and reliable components of Pakistan's energy options for socio-economic development.

This was stated at the inaugural session of a two-week International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) national training course on date acquisition and control using lab view environment here on Monday.

Through indigenous development of necessary infrastructure, nuclear power has established itself as a viable source of electricity generation compared to other resources such as wind and hydel power in the energy mix of Pakistan and it is expected that its use would increase in the years to come.

Speaking on the occasion, Member (power) PAEC Javed Iqleem said Pakistan was the first country in the Islamic world to set up a nuclear power plant - the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (Kanupp) - in the early '70s.

"Due to political reasons, vendor support from the West was cut off in 1974 and since then the PAEC has operated the plant through indigenous resources in complete isolation except valuable assistance from the IAEA," he said.

He said Kanupp had completed its design life of 30 years safely and successfully and through technical innovation and upgradation its life was now being extended by another 15 years.

CHASNUPP-I Installed with Chinese assistance, which is now in its 4th year of operation, Chasnupp is an excellent example of South-South cooperation. "Based on the success of Chasnupp-1, the Chasnupp-II project had been signed.

Nuclear power is poised to play its role as a viable energy source for the sustainable socio-economic development of the country with evermore contribution to the national grid," said Mr Iqleem.

Earlier, Dr Mustansar Jehangir, the Director-General of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technology (Pinstech) introduced the technical programme of the organization.

He said the thrust of its activities was on direct applications in the peaceful uses of atomic energy. It encompassed a wide range of research and development in material, physical, chemical, biological and applied sciences and had earned the award of most productive R&D organization of the country.

Two IAEA experts from Indonesia also spoke on the occasion. Hendrijanto Hadijjahjono appreciated the joint venture in sharing information in this important field and said Indonesia was eager to providing available technical assistance to Pakistan and also looked forward to seeking similar support from it.

Wiranto Budisantoso said Pakistan's association with knowledge in the field of nuclear power was strong compared to that of Indonesia and such a cooperation between the two countries was vital for safe and cost competitive development.