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. He said that the PAEC has also established cancer hospitals in big
cities.
