ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday urged Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) to base its future planning on emerging regional scenario and challenges to the Country.
While addressing Convocation of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Science (PIEAS) in Islamabad, the president said that apart from defence consideration, the planning should also take into account the economic aspects.
The president said that new opportunities and challenges would emerge with the implementation of CPEC, which is flagship project of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative.
President Mamnoon said apart from increased connectivity, setting up of industrial parks would generate employment and create opportunities for strengthening of national economy.
The president said that 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.
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 that PAEC 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.
President Mamnoon said that we can promote national development and achieve prosperity by achieving self-reliance in education and research. He said the nation is proud that PAEC 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.
In his remarks, the Chairman PAEC Naeem Ahmad highlighted the contributions made by the PAEC in power generation, agriculture sector and cancer treatment. He said that Chashma one, two, three and four are contributing electricity to the system while agreement has also been signed for Chashma five which will add 1,100 megawatt of electricity by 2024.
The Chairman PAEC Naeem Ahmad said that work on two nuclear power plants is in progress. Each plant will produce 1,100 megawatt of electricity.
Naeem Ahmad said that more areas are being identified for installation of nuclear power plants. He said that 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. He said that the PAEC has also established cancer hospitals in big cities.
