Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
ماموریہ جوہری توانائی پاکستان
Agency overview
Formed1956; 68 years ago (1956)
HeadquartersIslamabad, Pakistan
Employees120,000–130,000[1]
Annual budgetClassified
Agency executive
  • Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar
Parent agencyNational Command Authority (NCA)
Websitehttp://www.paec.gov.pk/

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) (Urdu: ماموریہ جوہری توانائی پاکستان, romanized: māmūrīa jauhrī tawānā'ī pākistān) is a federally funded independent governmental agency, concerned with research and development of nuclear power, promotion of nuclear science, energy conservation and the peaceful use of nuclear technology.[2][3]

Since its establishment in 1956, the PAEC has overseen the extensive development of nuclear infrastructure to support the economical uplift of Pakistan by founding institutions that focus on development on food irradiation and on nuclear medicine radiation therapy for cancer treatment.[4][5] The PAEC organizes conferences and directs research at the country's leading universities.[6] Since the 1960s, the PAEC has also been a scientific research partner and sponsor of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), where Pakistani scientists have contributed to developing particle accelerators and research on high-energy physics.[7] PAEC scientists regularly visit CERN to join projects led by the European organization.[8]

Until 2001, the PAEC was the civilian federal oversight agency that manifested the control of atomic radiation, development of nuclear weapons, and their testing. These functions were eventually taken over by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), and the National Command Authority under the Prime Minister of Pakistan.[9]

  1. ^ Rodriguez, Alex (29 November 2010). "Cables reveal doubts about Pakistani nuclear security". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 18 May 2012.
  2. ^ Tahir, Abdul Ghaffar. "IAEA presentation on nuclear power by PAEC" (PDF). IAEA publications, PAEC direct. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  3. ^ ASO. "Nuclear Power in Pakistan". Australian Safeguards Office. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  4. ^ "Biomedical engineering at PAEC". PAEC Medical Division. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  5. ^ "Agriculture and Biotechnology". PAEC BIO Division. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  6. ^ "PAEC and Summer College on Physics". International Nathiagali Summer College. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
  7. ^ Ahmad, DSc, Ishfaq (5 October 2003). "CERN and Pakistan: a personal perspective". Switzerland: CERN Courier. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  8. ^ Editorial (30 September 2014). "Pakistan and CERN". Express Tribune, 2014. Express Tribune. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  9. ^ ISPR release (5 September 2013). "National Command Authority". Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Archived from the original on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2014.