According to Dawn, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expert delegation concluded a 12-day review of Pakistan's nuclear security framework. This marked the IAEA's first International Physical Protection Advisory Service (IPPAS) mission to evaluate the country's regulatory and legislative setup for protecting nuclear facilities and materials. In a separate event, the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) and the IAEA completed a five-day workshop regarding commercial-grade nuclear equipment.
What happened
The 12-day IPPAS mission assessed Pakistan's physical protection framework and found it to be appropriately implemented at the inspected nuclear site. While praising existing security practices and workforce development, the international team provided recommendations to tighten security rules and operational procedures. Specific details of these recommendations were not specified in the source; please check the official notice. Meanwhile, the PNRA hosted a five-day workshop through the National Institute of Safety and Security to focus on dedicated processes for commercial-grade items used in nuclear safety applications.
Key facts
- The IPPAS team comprised seven members led by Khammar Mrabit, featuring experts from China, Romania, Slovakia, the Russian Federation, and the IAEA.
- Delegates held discussions with the PNRA, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and other national stakeholders.
- Experts visited the Kanupp Decommissioning Project at the Karachi Nuclear Power Generating Station to inspect spent fuel storage and decommissioning activities.
- Pakistan joined the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and ratified its 2005 amendment in 2016.
- The workshop brought together regulators, facility operators, and suppliers to address supply chain changes, equipment obsolescence, and safety dedication processes.
Why it matters
As reported by Dawn, the review underscores Pakistan's efforts to maintain nuclear security standards across domestic usage, transportation, and storage. IAEA Deputy Director General Karine Herviou praised Pakistan's contributions to training the nuclear security workforce. PNRA Chairman Zia Hussain Shah stated that the evaluation provides a helpful baseline to enhance regulatory systems and operational practices. Additionally, PNRA Executive Member Shahid Rashid noted that commercial-grade item dedication ensures nuclear facilities can maintain reliable safety components despite global supply chain constraints.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 10, 2026 · Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash