Pakistan’s nuclear safeguards pass first-ever IPPAS security review

Pakistan's nuclear security regime has been deemed robust after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed its first-ever International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) review. A team of seven experts, including representatives from China, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, and IAEA staff, conducted a 12-day review of Pakistan's legislative and regulatory framework for nuclear security.

The mission found that the country's physical protection regime was appropriately implemented at a specific nuclear facility visited by the experts. IAEA Deputy Director General Karine Herviou praised Pakistan's commitment to enhancing its regulatory and operational aspects of nuclear security, noting the country's valuable contribution to building the skills of the nuclear security workforce.

The IPPAS mission was hosted by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) at the government's request. During their visit, the team observed ongoing decommissioning activities at the Kanupp Decommissioning Project and visited Pakistan's first nuclear power plant, the Canadian Deuterium Uranium reactor. Pakistan is a party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, with the 2005 amendment significantly broadening its scope.

The PNRA, in collaboration with the IAEA, recently completed a five-day National Workshop on Commercial Grade Item Dedication, aimed at strengthening Pakistan's capabilities in nuclear safety and supply-chain oversight.