President urges PAEC’s role based on emerging challenges

F.P. Report

Islamabad: President Mamnoon Hussain has urged Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission to base its future planning, on emerging regional scenario and challenges to the country.

He was addressing Convocation of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Science (PIEAS) in Islamabad today.

The President said apart from defence consideration, the planning should also take into account the economic aspects. He said new opportunities and challenges would emerge with the implementation of CPEC, which is flagship project of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. He said apart from increased connectivity, setting up of industrial parks would generate employment and create opportunities for strengthening of national economy.

The President said we can take advantage of these opportunities through proper human resource development. He expressed satisfaction that PIEAS has been contributing immensely in production of highly qualified manpower for different disciplines of science, engineering and health.

President Mamnoon Hussain also pointed out that with industrialization, the demand for electricity would increase and we will have to make concerted efforts to meet the challenge. He said Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission also has plans to generate 9,000 MW of electricity but it will have to take into account the increasing power requirements of the country in its planning.

The President said we can promote national development and achieve prosperity by achieving self-reliance in education and research. He said the nation is proud that Atomic Energy Commission contributed to the national cause despite paucity of resources. He said students graduating from PIEAS have been rendering great services in the fields of defence, science and technology, agriculture and health.

On the occasion, The President also gave away gold medals and merit certificates to the position holders. He felicitated them on the completion of their education and wished them success in their professional careers.

Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Naeem Ahmad highlighted the contributions made by the PAEC in power generation, agriculture sector and cancer treatment. Naeem Ahmad said that Chasma one, two, three and four are contributing electricity to the system while agreement has also been signed for Chashma -5 which will add eleven hundred megawatt of electricity by 2024. The Chairman said that work on two nuclear power plants is in progress. Each plant will produce eleven hundred megawatt of electricity. Naeem Ahmad said that more areas are being identified for installation of nuclear power plants. He said we are installing nuclear power plants with full security measures.

Apart from nuclear power, the Chairman PAEC said that we also introduced ninety eight varieties of different important crops which has helped ensure food security of the country.