NOVEMBER - DECEMBER, 2003 Prime Minister presides over the 31st Meeting of Atomic Energy Council Development of a strong base of plants in the country PAEC directed to prepare ‘VISION-2025 PLAN’ Emphasising the importance of cheap elec- Pakistan Atomic Energy Council is the high- near . PINSTECH is now the larg- tricity for rapid development, and in view of est policy formulating body created by the est R&D center in the country. In 1965, the environment-friendly and cost competitive PAEC Ordinance 1965. The Council has Commission took another bold step by sign- aspects of nuclear energy, Prime Minister of twenty two members representing various ing the contract for the Karachi Nuclear Pakistan, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has ministries, research organisations and aca- Power Plant (KANUPP). These visionary desired that PAEC should prepare a “Vision demic institutions. The Prime Minister as steps taken in the 60’s resulted in the sus- 2025” plan for the development of a strong Minister Incharge of PAEC, is the Chairman tained growth of PAEC. The scientists of base of Nuclear Power Plants in the country. of the Council. PINSTECH and the engineers of KANUPP While presiding over the 31st Meeting of together formed the team that eventually got Pakistan Atomic Energy Council, he said that The PAE Council reviews the work and pro- together to meet the challenge and demon- PAEC, in its capacity as the largest national vides overall policy guidelines for the scien- strated the country’s capability in design and Science & Technology organization, should tific and technological programme of PAEC. manufacturing projects of tremendous impor- take a lead in promotion of scientific and The 31st Meeting of the Council was held on tance for national defence and socio-eco- technological activities in the country. 2 December, 2003, in the Cabinet Room of nomic development. the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Islamabad. Commending the role of PAEC towards sci- Over the years, PAEC has developed exper- entific and technological development and Mr. Parvez Butt, Chairman,PAEC, while out- tise and skills in diverse areas of Science and the defence needs of the country, the Prime lining salient features of the activities of the Technology. These range from mining, to Minister directed that resources and energy Commission, briefly traced the history of geo-technological studies, to chemical proc- be devoted to the development of human PAEC from 1961 when work was started at essing, to production of nuclear fuel, to nu- resource and infrastructure for socio-eco- in a building, which was originally clear power, to engineering and heavy nomic uplift of the nation. constructed for PCSIR. It was due to the bold equipment manufacturing, to computers and vision of the then Chairman Dr. I. H. Usmani, controls, to agriculture, to biotechnology, to The Prime Minister stressed upon the need that small, but effective R&D laboratories nuclear medicine, to defence oriented pro- for scientists and engineers to strive hard for were established in areas such as agricul- jects and so on. the betterment of the country. Pakistan is to ture, medicine, physics, chemistry, engineer- stay in the comity of nations with honour and ing and manpower training. These small R& KANUPP, which was commissioned in 1971, we should learn to live with dignity within our D centers have now blossomed into large completed 30 years of designed life on 6 own limited resources and every citizen organizations. December 2002, as determined by PNRA. should contribute with dedication and devo- Massive refurbishment, over-hauling and up- tion towards achieving this goal. In 1961, PAEC started work on the first nu- dating has been carried out during the past clear research reactor at PINSTECH, Nilore, one year, all indigenously. The Re-Licensing

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, presiding over the 31st Meeting of Pakistan Atomic Energy Council Outage (RLO) was completed in Oct. 2003. The plant is now ready to be operated for another 12-15 years. All basic inputs to oper- ate the plant such as fuel, zirconium, heavy water and most of the equipment and spares are manufactured by PAEC. The government has made no budgetary allocation for the plant since 1975.

The Chairman informed that the 300 Mwe PWR CHASNUPP-I, which is the first of the twin units constructed at Chashma, is oper- ating well and has sold electricity worth more than Rs. 10 billion to WAPDA since Septem- ber 2000. Since the refueling outage, the plant availability factor is 80%. This is better than that guaranteed by the supplier. As per agreed schedule, negotiations between PAEC and CNNC are continuing to finalize technical and financial details of the Second unit at Chashma, C-2.

The Directorate of Scientific and Engineer- ing Services(SES) has established several sate-of-the-art workshops, Pakistan Welding Institute (PWI) and National Centre for Non- Destructive Testing (NCNDT). During the year 2003, the value of jobs carried out by SES was approximately Rs. 300 million.

Highlighting the achievements of Informatics Complex, PAE Council was informed that 31st Meeting of Pakistan Atomic Energy Council in progress the center has been engaged in building training simulators for Nuclear Power and lion/year additional income in the agricultural vaccine and nanotechnology for its applica- other plants. It is also engaged in carrying out sector due to the introduction of these varie- tion in biotechnology. In the environment and development of robotics and other projects ties. Work is going on for the biological con- industrial sector, NIBGE is contributing in the related to instrumentation and control. trol of pests of sugarcane, cotton and fruit production of enzymes for textile industry, orchards through male sterile techniques and optimization of process of coal biodesulfuri- The Chairman laid emphasis on the contribu- pheromone traps. Production of vaccines for zation, development of DNA method for de- tions of PINSTECH in multidisciplinary R& D different diseases of livestock and genetic termining gene toxicity of different effluents in nuclear science and technology. PIN- improvement and mass production of ba- and utilization of bioremediation technology STECH won the IDB first prize for the year nana and sugar cane is being undertaken. for cleaning of environment. Recently, the 2002 for outstanding scientific contribution in method was applied for cleaning of oil spill at the entire Muslim World. The total number of Technology has been developed for utiliza- Karachi beach. international publications of PINSTECH in tion of brackish underground water and sa- 2002 had reached the level of 80, in spite of line soils to produce products of economic In the health sector, PAEC has thirteen func- the fact that PINSTECH was starved of value. Two Biosaline Research Stations tional cancer hospitals spread all over Paki- funds for development work. PINSTECH have been established at Rakh Dera Chal stan. These hospitals treat about 320,000 hopes to venture into new fields like near Lahore and at Pakka Anna near Fais- patients, mostly free of cost through Zakat nanotechnology, fuel cell technology, pho- alabad. Biosaline Agriculture Technology is fund, donations, and generated income. An- tonics, special materials, industrial pollution being disseminated to ten countries of the other hospital in Abottabad is almost com- control and synchrotron light research. region through IAEA. The number of interna- plete and five more are in the pipeline. tional publications in the year 2003 was 110. Talking about Human Resource Develop- Saline Agriculture Farms Participatory De- PAEC is also involved in commercial activi- ment, Chairman specially mentioned the velopment Project has been initiated at ties through AI-Technique Corporation, Ravi names of PIEAS, KINPOE, CTC, CHAS- Shorkot, Lodhran, Badin, Jaffarabad and Rayon Ltd., Pakistan Radiation Services CENT, NCNDT, PWI and NIBGE. The insti- Lakki Marwat. (PARAS) and Agri Business Projects. The tute are either producing graduates, PAEC Foundation generates income through undertaking research or training manpower The activities of National Institute of Biotech- schemes like farming, Foundation Travels, for not only PAEC but also other Strategic nology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) in- and Hydro Power Station. The profits are Organizations. clude deciphering of genome of Cotton Leaf spent on welfare of PAEC employees. Curl Virus, establishment of genetic diversity In the agriculture sector, PAEC has been in of CLCuV, development of GM virus resistant PAEC has been supplying equipment to vari- the forefront of using nuclear techniques for cotton, optimization of rice and tomato trans- ous organizations both in the public as well the improvement of crops and has developed formation system, and marketing of biofertil- as private sector. Recently PAEC provided 43 high yielding, disease resistant varieties izer for wheat, rice, legumes and cotton. In equipment and services worth US$ 1 Million of wheat, rice, cotton, chickpea, mungbean, the health sector, NIBGE has contributed in to CERN. In September 2003, an agreement lentils, rapeseed and sugarcane. It is esti- the PCR based diagnosis for hepatitis C, was signed between CERN and PAEC to mated that PAEC has generated Rs. 6 bil- tuberculosis, typhoid and B-thalesemia. It is manufacture and supply equipment worth also involved in the development of DNA US$ 10 Million to CERN in next five years. PARAS has been involved in sterilization of medical equipment. Recently a trial irradia- World Science Day for Peace and Development tion of 500 kg of mangoes for export was Top Pakistani Scientists asked for increased Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad appreciated the efforts of done at PARAS. Three more irradiation facili- investment in scientific research and devel- PAEC in popularizing science and its re- ties are planned for Karachi, Peshawar and opment which they said was vital for durable search contribution to the prestigious CERN Multan. PAEC has collaboration with thirteen progress of the country. Addressing a Scien- project. He said that the quality of our manu- international organizations. tists Convention held in Islamabad on 10 facturing can be gauged from the fact that November, 2003, in connection with World international organizations like CERN are ac- Concluding his presentation, Chairman re- Science Day for Peace and Development, quiring manufactured equipment worth marked that PAEC is a unique organization. celebrated by UNESCO throughout the US$10 million from us. It is involved in critical and classified work for world, they said that investment in science national defense as well as for the socio-eco- was an essential requirement of modern day He also desired that on the next Science Day nomic and technical development of the knowledge-based economies and the coun- all stakeholders i.e. economists, planners country. It is playing a significant role in di- tries which had invested in scientific develop- youth, and people from the industry should be verse areas such as: research in basic sci- ment, had harvested enormous benefits. invited. ences, development of agriculture and biotechnology, provision of specialized medi- cal services, exploration and exploitation of minerals, production of nuclear materials, in- strumentation and control, nuclear electricity generation and projects of importance for national defence. It is now a key player in the industrial development. In spite of interna- tional embargoes on nearly all PAEC activi- ties, its success in such diverse fields lies in the cohesiveness within the Organization, proper attention to human resource develop- ment and stress on indigenization, strategic planning and judicious use of autonomy and freedom given to it.

Mr. Ansar Hussain Shamsi, Member (Fi- nance) PAEC, briefed the Council on the Budgetary issues and financial prospects.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister stressed upon the need for scientists and engineers to strive hard for the betterment of the country. While appreciating the achieve- ments of PAEC, he observed that PAEC is Dr. Atta ur Rehman, the Minister Incharge of Mr. Parvez Butt, Chairman, Pakistan Atomic the epicenter of science and technology in Science & Technology, who is also Chairman Energy Commission, urged the engineers the country. Responding to the request of Higher Education Commission, lamented and scientists to get together and work for the PAEC for enhancing grants for research ac- the brain drain in the form of highly trained development of the country. PAEC has been tivities, the Prime Minister desired that ade- scientists taking up jobs abroad for want of the largest producer of trained human re- quate funds should be made available for good working environment and salary pack- source in the country and based upon the R&D purposes and assured government’s age. He said that steps were being taken to strength of its technical resources, it has full support in this regard. He constituted a lure them back and contribute towards na- worked for indigenisation which is the only committee to consider the recommendations tional development. He said that linkages veritable way of introducing new technologies as made by PAE Council and submit its re- between science and technology are must to in the country. port as soon as possible. attain the desired results and quoted exam- ples where knowledge alone could not trans- He said that that following the withdrawal of The Prime Minister directed PAEC to con- form into beneficial technologies. foreign support, PAEC operated KANUPP tinue the ongoing negotiations on CHAS- entirely on its own resources. Based upon the NUPP-2 with China so that these are Following the inaugural part of the gathering, technical competence, PAEC engineers completed on schedule and the project work a special session, chaired by Dr. Ishfaq Ah- have been able to extend the useful life of may start next year. The Prime Minister ap- mad, Special Advisor to Prime Minister on KANUPP. preciated the efforts of PAEC in agriculture Strategic Programme was held. Dr. Ishfaq and biotechnology. Agriculture being lifeline Ahmad, in his opening remarks stated that a Dr. Atta ur Rehman observed that he would of the country should be given due attention 10-point programme aiming at strengthening welcome a financial proposal from PAEC to and he desired that PAEC may expand its science was resolved in 1994 during a meet- meet the budgetary deficit of PINSTECH. He activities in agricultural research, particularly ing of leading scientists. He said that he was agreed to the appointment of a group of sci- in the development of new varieties of crops happy to know that action on all those points entists for working out the feasibility of install- and mitigation of pests using bio-control have been taken except a project of building ing a research accelerator as proposed by Dr. methods. For attaining maximum output of our own accelerator to complement the re- Ishfaq Ahmad. research, he advised PAEC to increase in- search facilities available around research take of trainees from universities. reactor of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Sci- The Convention was attended by a large ence and Technology (PINSTECH). number of researchers, scientists and acade- The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks micians. for the Chair. IAEA/RCA-PAEC Training Workshop on improvement and diversification of feed resources for livestock at NIAB Saline Land Reclamation Technology being provided to other countries under IAEA Project Pakistan is providing Saline Land Reclama- tion Technology to about ten countries through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission has developed two saline agri- culture research centres and recently em- barked upon reclamation of 25,000 acres of saline lands.

This was stated by Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik, Member (Bio-sciences and Administration), PAEC, while inaugurating the IAEA/RCA - PAEC Regional Training Workshop for studying the nuclear and related technolo- gies for elimination of anti-fodder constitu- ents, held at Nuclear Institute for Agriculture & Biology (NIAB), Faisalabad, from 1-12 De- cember, 2003.

Dr. Malik said that livestock constitutes a very significant part of agriculture economy and has the potential for enhancing the GDP of Group photograph of Workshop participants and Subject Specialists with Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik, the country. The source of living through Member (Biosciences/Admin), PAEC livestock is the mainstay of the rural areas and hence it is a big poverty prevention. tional fodder with improvement of existing said livestock being significant part of agrar- ones. ian economy prevents poverty. In view of the He informed that six million acres saline land useful role of PAEC agriculture research cen- which otherwise is lying as waste land can be Dr. Singh apprised the participants that con- ters in evolving high yield/soil suitable crop put to economic use by growing trees, shrubs ventional fodder is neither completely healthy varieties, Chairman announced that NIAB and animal fodder through the application of nor sufficient and that is why we must focus and other such institutes will be expanded for nuclear techniques. These compatible crops to evolve non-conventional fodder to meet undertaking much needed research in food and fodder can help increase livestock as- nutrition requirements of the livestock. production. sets of the country manifold. Director NIAB, Dr. Mohsin Iqbal presented a PAEC has a large infrastructure for support- He said PAEC is beneficiary of many techni- resume of research contribution of the Insti- ing the local industry in the form of Pakistan cal programmes initiated by IAEA, and has tute to agricultural and livestock develop- Welding Institute, National Centre for Non always been an active contributor to the hu- ment. NIAB has developed 21 improved Destructive Testing and state-of-the-art de- manitarian agenda of the Agency. Pakistan varieties of crops like cotton, rice and pulses sign and fabrication workshops. is an important member of IAEA and it will which are being cultivated on wide areas in make every effort to support its programme. the country and have provided an additional He said negotiations for Chashma Nuclear He said Pakistan has always supported income of Rs. 56 billion to farmers. He said Power Plant-II are in progress. After the suc- South-South cooperation. in recognition of their research efforts, the cessful operation of Chasnupp-I, the installa- scientists of NIAB have been given national tion of Chasnupp-II would augur well for Dr. Kauser said that PAEC is maintaining four honours and awards. nuclear power development, he said, adding agriculture research centers in different re- that it is an essential part of country’s energy gions of the country and research findings of Dr. Shahnaz Adeeb Khanum, Workshop Di- mix along with hydro, coal and gas electricity these institutes have resulted in high yield rector, said that the event has been organ- options. and disease resistant crops with manifold ized as a part of IAEA’s regional project titled increase in national food output. “Improving Animal Productivity and Repro- He disclosed that Karachi Nuclear Power ductive Efficiency”, with a view to addressing Plant, which has completed thirty years of its IAEA Technical Officer, Dr. Harinder Paul problems like marginal poor lands, salt af- designed life, has been renovated/upgraded Singh Makkar said that increasing human fected waste lands and non-conventional low entirely by indigenous resources with safety population requires additional food and live- cost feed resources. consultation of many international nuclear stock. The same being important part of hu- related organizations . man consumption deserves special attention The Workshop, attended by 14 participants for enhancing its growth. He said the demand from 11 regional countries including Sri The up-graded plant will be as safe as any for livestock consumption would double in the Lanka, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thai- other one in the world. “We have demon- next 20 years. land, Myanmar and Vietnam, was conducted strated this through thirty years of safe opera- by Subject Specialists of IAEA from Germany tions and we enjoy an excellent safety record Livestock is going to be the next focus of and Zimbabwe. at world level.” He said the practice of extract- attention of the world and that is why IAEA is ing more years of production from such giving this subject its due importance. He Addressing the concluding session of the plants is being followed all over the world and said due to degradation of environment, the Workshop, Chairman, Pakistan Atomic En- more than 25 plants in US have been re-li- resources of fodder for livestock are shrink- ergy Commission, Mr. Parvez Butt appreci- censed with similar pattern in other countries. ing and this calls for evolving non-conven- ating the role of IAEA in helping the member The cost of electricity from such renovated countries in their economic development. He plants is cheapest of all modes of production. Bhittai: An Early Maturing, High yielding and Disease Resistant Wheat Variety Wheat, being the most important cereal food, serves major role in satisfying the food requirements of the world. In the wake of global warming, many environmental stresses like drought, rising temperatures, salinity, water logging and erosion have raised new challenges for wheat production. Abiotic stresses are not only responsible for direct losses but also make crops more vul- nerable to biotic stresses like disease and insect attacks. In biotic stresses, new races of cereal rust (s), powdery mildew and loose smut have evolved in space and time dimen- sions. These races are capable of infecting the wheat in the environments in which oth- erwise they were unable to.

Keeping in view these challenges, wheat group working for ‘Transfer of Disease Re- sistance in Bread Wheat’ at NIA, Tando Jam has contributed by evolving early maturing, high yielding, resistant to diseases (leaf and yellow rust), drought tolerant, possessing secutive years (1998-1999 and 1999-2000). long white spike, white chaff, bold amber high protein and dry gluten wheat variety, Bhittai has yield potential of more than 8 grain, thick and stiff stem. Besides this, Bhit- ‘Bhittai’. tonnes pre hectare in the cotton belt of Sindh tai is blessed with high percentage of protein and it has also performed well under re- (14.57%) and dry gluten (10.57%) with Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) in its duced irrigated conditions of rice tract. It has strong consistency that makes the variety meeting on October 5, 2003 approved the exhibited higher yield performance at differ- excellent for baking and export. proposal of wheat variety Bhittai and variety ent sites in National Uniform Wheat Yield was also recommended for submission to the Trial (NUWYT) in normal and late sowings at According to the recommendations of Paki- National Seed Council. different locations across Pakistan during stan Agricultural Research Council and Crop Rabi 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, that con- Disease Research Programme , NARC, Isla- Bhittai (SD-1200/14) has been developed firms its wide adaptability and yield potential. mabad, Bhittai will not only boost production through pyramiding of defeated and func- Its earliness makes it suitable for both Cot- but would also act as a new source of resis- tional rust resistant gene (s) in high yielding ton-Wheat cropping systems. tance for rust management and it will en- susceptible genotypes (Soghat-90 and VEE) hance genetic diversity in wheat fields. at NIA, Tando Jam. Bhittai proved its resis- Besides the high yield and disease resis- Hence, its deployment will not only enhance tance against prevailing virulence of leaf and tance features, Bhittai is distinguishable sustainable wheat production but will also yellow rust(s) in National Wheat Disease among the commercially grown wheat varie- help in widening the genetic base for existing Screening Nursery (NWDSN) for two con- ties in Pakistan due to characteristics like virulence of leaf and yellow rusts.

PINSTECH Excels in Radiation Dosimetric Measurements To achieve and ascertain acceptable levels are as good as those in most of the devel- and operates the only Secondary Standard of accuracy in dosimetric measurements, oped countries like Japan and Australia. In Dosimetry Laboratory in the country which PINSTECH has been participating in various 57 measurements conducted in 21 provides calibration and dose output meas- international inter-comparison exercises in IAEA/RCA inter-comparison exercises urement services to all radiation users in the radiation dosimetry conducted/arranged by spread over 18 years, there is not even a country. The measurements at PINSTECH IAEA/RCA. There are different levels of tol- single case of OUT-LIER (i.e. result outside SSDL are traceable to IAEA Dosimetry Labo- erable uncertainties acceptable for various the acceptable limit). Special mention is de- ratory, Seibersdorf and National Physical dosimetric measurements required for differ- served by dosimetric measurements in 1990 Laboratory, U.K. ent activities such as therapy and protection and 1992, wherein uncertainty level was zero level calibration and personnel dosimetry. (i.e. it matched the target value of the exer- PINSTECH has been successful in achieving PINSTECH has so far participated in 21 such cise); dose measurements in 1995, 2001 and and maintaining International Standard of ac- exercises. As many as 65 developed and 2002, wherein the uncertainty levels were curacy in the field of radiation dosimetry in developing countries have participated in 0.1%, 0.19% and 0.2% respectively. Pakistan. PINSTECH is now in a position to these IAEA/RCA inter-comparison exer- arrange, conduct and lead similar inter-com- cises. PINSTECH is the only establishment in Paki- parison exercises in dosimetry amongst vari- stan, which provides radiation dosimetric ous national laboratories having similar The results of IAEA/RCA exercises indicate services to all end users in the country on facilities and capabilities. that dosimetric measurements at PINSTECH subsidized rates. Similarly, PINSTECH owns Booster Fuel Assemblies removed from KANUPP Reactor Core KANUPP reactor had eight booster fuel as- Most of the equipment and tooling supplied the structural material was much higher than semblies of 10.45 percent enriched uranium by the vendor for booster fuel removal were the dose on the fissile material. The ALARA aluminum alloy. The main purpose of the required to be qualified. A comprehensive principle was strictly applied at work with booster fuel assemblies was to provide suffi- program was chalked out to update, review, great success. The collective dose of the cient excess reactivity to bring the reactor qualify and practice booster removal on work group was limited below the estimated back to about 65% of previous power within mock-up and/ or on actual site. The proce- dose. None of the workers crossed the regu- 30 minutes following a reactor trip. However, dures were reviewed by the Radiation Con- latory dose limit. A very unique radiation data the available heat sink to the booster cooling trol Officer for estimation of time and radiation have been collected during the job such as: could be lost in case of some postulated doses. (1) the exposure rate at various steps, (2) accident(s) and the unavailability of heat sink number of workers and time required to carry can lead to melt down of the booster fuel. This The job of removal of first booster fuel (bot- out that step, and (3) individual and collective design feature in the KANUPP booster rod tom parked booster rod) was started in March doses. This will be a very useful reference for cooling system vis-a-vis the modern 2003. In the light of problems faced during the similar tasks in other CANDU plants. CANDU design safety practice was high- removal of the lighted during a review of KANUPP safety first rod, thor- features under an IAEA task. It was con- ough discus- cluded that the benefits of using boosters for sion were held rapid restart to override poison out were far and consider- out weighed by this concern. Since 1993, ing different KANUPP had stopped using booster fuel and scenarios, and subsequently planned permanent removal. a more strin- gent quality The job of removal of booster fuel assemblies control pro- was considered a critical activity for several gram, all re- reasons: (1) due to an extra ordinary long maining rods period of booster assemblies in the parked were success- position proper assessment of radiation ex- fully removed posure rates at various locations of the without any booster assemblies was difficult; (2) the difficulty. boiler room crane hoist was to be used be- tween its extreme limits with maximum load During the several times with 100% reliability; (3) the whole opera- equipment and systems were to be tion of booster checked/verified for proper behavior and rods removal, functional requirements. A dedicated group the role and comprising personnel from Maintenance, coordination of The team, entrusted with the job of Booster Fuel Health Physics, and Quality Assurance Divi- Health Physics Division was very effective. Assemblies removal from KANUPP Core, sion was formed to make an action plan for Dose rates up to as high as 2000 R/h were photographed with Dr. Inam-ur-Rahman, Scientist the booster fuel removal. experienced. Due to prolong residence time Emeritus, PAEC. in the reactor core, sometimes the dose on

Descaling Technique Developed for KANUPP Boiler Tubes PAEC has sustained successful and safe system rise, thus, inhibiting or complicating nel of this assignment were essential for the operation of KANUPP for the last 30 years. the routine inspection and maintenance of accuracy and safety of the job execution. Since the disruption of vendor support in the the primary system. It is estimated that 80% early years of operation, the plant has been of the occupational radiation dose comes The descaling job of one Boiler was taken in operated by PAEC’s own scientists and en- from the in-service inspection of the primary hand which has been completed and the gineers through indigenous efforts aimed at system.There was, therefore, an urgent need procedure so developed has been success- strengthening self-reliance programme. The to decontaminate the PH system including ful. The decontamination of the remaining recent example of such indigenous effort is steam generators. Foreign consultants were system is underway. The results of this de- the successful descaling and decontamina- contacted for this job who demanded exorbi- contamination exercise have been compared tion of Primary Heat Transfer (PHT) loop tant cost with involvement of a very long time with those of other plants in the world and containing Steam Generators of KANUPP. period comprising R&D and subsequent exe- found satisfactory. Such innovations/im- cution. In view of this, the job was entrusted provements form part of the operational ca- The operation of a water-cooled nuclear re- to a team of scientists and engineers from pability and confidence and augur well for the actor results in slow corrosion of the interior DNFC, KANUPP and PINSTECH. life extension of the plant. metal surfaces of the PHT loop. The resulting corrosion products circulate through the re- The descaling assignment involved develop- As a result of this strenuous efforts, an indige- actor core and are activated by neutron flux ment of a chemical solution, which may dis- nous technology has been developed for the inside the core. While some of these corro- solve the deposited corrosion products, and successful decontamination of the internal sion products are removed by the water clean the design/fabrication of equipment capable systems of nuclear power plants. All the pro- up system, a substantial part continues to of circulating the dissolving solution through cedures, techniques and steps of this method deposit on the PHT loops’ internal surfaces. the system remotely. A reliable service in the have been vetted by Pakistan Nuclear Regu- As a result of this accumulation, radiation form of analytical facilities and health physics latory Authority (PNRA). levels in the vicinity of primary heat transport arrangements to protect the working person- Human Resource Development Programme at NIFA Historically, Pakistan’s prosperity rests upon a beautiful and diverse base of natural re- sources including agriculture related compo- nents. These resources have contributed significantly to the economic development of this country. Our population is increasing at a very rapid pace for which abundant food supplies would be needed. Agriculture has a history of increasing productivity per unit of land area so that a growing human popula- tion can be fed. Therefore, harnessing agri- culture frontiers on scientific line is the key to success. PAEC’s four agricultural centres, NIA, Tandojam, NIFA, Peshawar, NIAB and NIBGE, Faisalabad, are performing their due role in national development. All these Cen- ters are geared towards indigenization and attaining self-sufficiency in every field.

The Nuclear Institute for Food and Agricul- ture (NIFA), Peshawar, was established in 1982. The prime theme of the research pro- gramme has been to ameliorate the lot of farmers with increased productivity and sta- bilized incomes by enhancing productivity of • Basic Physics: Fundamentals of radiation; ra- feedback from end-users to update our R&D arable crops and finding methods of preser- dioisotopes and their applications in Agricul- program the end users, is a regular feature. vation of various food commodities using nu- ture, Health, Industry and Environment. clear and other techniques. NIFA has carved Biological Effects & Nuclear Safety. NIFA-RAYA: Mutant variety of out a reputable place for itself in agricultural • Spectroscopy: Ultraviolet, Visible, near Infra- oilseed mustard research in the fields of crop breeding, food red and Atomic Absorption science, soil science and entomology. • Chromatography: Separation Techniques, Col- The NWFP Seed Council in its meeting on umn chromatography,Thin layer chromatogra- Utilizing the expertise and the facilities avail- October 8, 2003 approved NIFA Mustard Va- phy, Gas chromatography, high performance riety “NIFA-RAYA” for commercial cultivation able, NIFA organizes annually a two-week liquid chromatography postgraduate course on the application of in the rainfed and irrigated areas of NWFP. nuclear and other advanced techniques in • Specialized Lectures: Mutation breeding and NIFA-RAYA has been developed at a dose food and agricultural research. The course is tissue culture, Chemical and biological control of 140 krads gamma rays by the Oilseed of insects and termites, Use of nuclear and Brassica Group, NIFA. The first ever-mutant designed primarily to create awareness other techniques in soil research, Food chem- about radiation and its peaceful uses among variety of mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in istry, nutrition and microbiology, Pollution, Role Pakistan, NIFA-RAYA expressed sustain- the masses and provide practical training to of statistics in scientific research researchers, academicians, and postgradu- able productivity in various yield tests viz. ate students in the application of radiation • Laboratory experiments in Nuclear techniques: Preliminary, Advanced, Multilocations and and radioisotopes and other advanced tech- Use of radiation sources, counters and National Uniform Mustard Yield Trials in di- dosimetry, neutron moisture probe and radio- niques in the field of food and agriculture. versified climates from 1997-98 to 2001-02. sensitivity of insects. Spectroscopy: Ultraviolet, Its yield potential is 2.0 to 2.5 t/ha. visible, near infra red and atomic absorption. NIFA has well qualified trained manpower Proximate analysis; chromatographic tech- It contains high oil content of 47% (range: and well equipped facilities for conducting niques like GC, TLC etc. microbiological analy- such courses. Nineteen courses have been sis of food and water 44-47%) as compared to 41% of control held so far, for about 450 participants from (BARD-1), an increase of 14.6% over the all over the country. The course has been NIFA has also organized 13 special courses check. It has low erucic acid in oil (1.30- designed to acquaint the participants with on “Food & Nutrition” and trained over 120 2.04%) coupled with low levels of total glu- theoretical and practical aspects of nuclear army officers on different aspects of food- cosinolates (22 mM/gm) in meal. Thus its oil and other advanced techniques, comprising supply. In addition, whenever required, NIFA is safe for human consumption and meal is Specialized lectures by scientists from other organizes courses on Radiation Protection. suitable for animals and poultry feed. PAEC organizations (NIAB, NIBGE, PIN- NIFA has very close collaboration with vari- STECH, DGCC, NIA, etc.), research organi- ous agricultural organizations like Agri. Re- NIFA-RAYA is a mid maturing juncea line. It zations and universities. The participants are search Institute, Agriculture Extension, exhibited significantly early maturity (3-4 equipped with new ideas and acquaint them- Agricultural Research System, Joint Venture weeks) than the parent, is moderately resis- selves with the available techniques at NIFA Seed Production and NWFP Agriculture Uni- tant to main diseases i.e. Alternaria blight and and maintain a productive interaction with versity . NIFA is providing its facilities to Downy mildew. The major insects of rape- NIFA in future. universities for post-graduate studies. Spe- seed/mustard in Pakistan are aphids and cialists in different fields are invited regularly cabbage butterfly and NIFA-RAYA is fairly The training programme comprises lectures to share their knowledge. Farmers Day, tolerant to these insects attack. It is also and practicals in the following areas: which provides a forum to discuss various resistant/tolerant to lodging, shattering and issues relating to agriculture and provide a drought. Announcement: INSC-2004 29th International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs Nathiagali, 28 June - 15 July, 2004 International Nathiagali Summer Colleges on Today we can see the proliferation of VLSI Physics and Contemporary Needs (INSC) devices in all kinds of equipment e.g. com- 29th INSC have been organized every year since 1976, puters, electronic and consumer devices, SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME mostly at the scenic hill resorts near Isla- automobiles, medical and industrial equip- mabad, Pakistan. The idea of holding these ment. The use of highly integrated VLSI de- Colleges came from the distinguished Nobel vices in these systems has lead to the Ist Activity: 28 June -03 July, 2004 Laureate. Professor Abdus Salam who em- miniaturization of this equipment due to lower INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY phasized the vital need of communication, as power consumption that has also resulted in well as for transferring and sharing scientific the reduction of overall system costs. Lec- • VLSI Design and manufacturing knowledge, among the scientific community tures will be presented on different aspects • Network Security of the Third World. of VLSI design. • Grid Technology The scientific activities of INSC aim at a Network security is the process of preventing IInd Activity: 05 - 10 July, 2004 broad coverage of topics at the frontiers of and detecting unauthorized use of informa- knowledge in physics and allied sciences. tion stored on computers and transmitted via SYNCHROTRON RADIATION One or two subjects of current interest and networks. Lectures will cover recent progress AND LASER PHYSICS their applications for technological develop- in this area. ment, with special reference to needs of the • Laser physics developing world, are highlighted by a re- The vision behind GRID is a computing en- • Advanced Light Source nowned international faculty every year. vironment where anyone can play in from • SESAME Project About two hundred scientists from a large anywhere and access any resource on the Laser Cooling number of developing nations benefit from grid. The end-users would be able to rent • this scientific discourse. During the last processing power as well as software re- twenty eight years, about 485 eminent scien- sources, such as web services. Lectures will IIIrd Activity: 12-15 July, 2003 tists including six Nobel Laureates shared be presented to introduce this new technol- their knowledge and experience with nearly ogy and the recent progress made in its WORKSHOP ON LASERS 5400 scientists from over seventy developing development. countries. • Ultrashort Pulse Lasers During the Second Week (5 July - 10 July, • Semiconductor Lasers Over the years, Pakistan Atomic Energy 2004) the theme of discussions will be Laser • Laser-produced Plasma Commission has regularly organized this sci- Physics, Advanced Light Source, SESAME entific activity. From the 26th College, the Project and Laser Cooling. The College will The travel costs are expected to be arranged scientific programme of the College is being focus on Synchrotron Radiation, its applica- by the participants. However, modest funds looked after by the National Center for Phys- tions, and SESAME Project of which Paki- may be available to cover the expenses, ics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. stan is a member. Eminent scientists and either in full or in part, of a limited number of machine designers as well as SR users will participants from the developing countries. These Colleges have traditionally been held lecturer on the science, technology and train- Requests for participation, on the prescribed at the scenic summer resorts of Nathiagali, ing that can be done with SESAME. The form (or photocopy) should reach the Sum- near Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. course aims at physicists, chemists, biolo- mer College by 30th March, 2004. The se- Lodged in the sylvan slopes of lower Himala- gists and material scientists so that they start lected candidates will be informed by 30th yan range, these hill resorts (2000-3000 me- concept designs of experiments, dealing with April, 2004. ter high) are sheer slopes of colourful their fields of specialization, to be done on harmony, rolling fields and towering forested SESAME. For further information, please contact: hills, pervading senses with a deep feeling of Prof. Dr. Hafeez R. Hoorani rediscovering nature. The venue provides an The second half of this week will be devoted Scientific Secretary, INSC, excellent blend of tranquil atmosphere con- to laser physics, covering Diode lasers, Ul- National Centre for Physics, ducive to learning and enjoying nature at its trashort pulse Lasers and Laser Cooling. The Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad. best. Some Colleges have also been held at College will be followed by a 4-day Workshop Fax: 92-51- 9205753 nearby hill resort Bhurban, and Islamabad. on Lasers. Phone: 92-51-2273545 e-mail: [email protected] Scientific Programme Registration M. Munim Awais The scientific programme of the 29th College The College is primarily intended for scien- Executive Secretary, has been divided into three activities: (i) In- tists actively engaged in teaching and re- International Nathiagali Summer College, formation Technology, (ii) Synchrotron Ra- search activities in developing countries. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission diation and Laser Physics, and (iii) Workshop Advanced graduate students from Pakistan P.O. Box 1114, Islamabad on Ultrashort Pulse lasers. are also encouraged to attend. Participants Fax: 92-51-9204908 must have an adequate knowledge of Eng- Phone: 92-51-9201862 and 9204024 During the first week (28 June - 3 July, 2004) lish which is the working language of the e-mail: [email protected] focus of attention will be Information Technol- College. The boarding and lodging arrange- ogy covering VLSI Design and Manufactur- ments and the expenses in this regard are, in College Web site: ing, Network Security, and Grid Technology. general, the responsibility of the Organizers. http://www.ncp.edu.pk/insc

Edited and produced by M. Munim Awais, Director, International Affairs and Training, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, P. O. Box 1114, Islamabad.