Latest news with #PAEC
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pakistan eyes 8,000MW target with Chashma-5 project
The under-construction Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant is expected to contribute 1,200 megawatts (MW) of clean, safe and low-cost electricity to the national grid. Chashma Nuclear Power Complex General Manager Engineer Habibur Rehman made these remarks while briefing a group of journalists at the Chashma Nuclear Complex. Informing that the project was advancing swiftly, he said that Pakistan was working towards enhancing its nuclear power generation capacity to 8,000MW, aiming to make nuclear energy a dependable component of the country's sustainable and affordable energy mix. On the occasion, media representatives toured several operational and under-construction units of the facility, where they were briefed on plant performance, safety protocols, technical systems and environmental standards. Engineer Habibur Rehman noted that Pakistan currently ranked among the top 20 nuclear power-producing countries globally, operating six nuclear reactors with a combined generation capacity of 3,530MW. The figure is projected to rise to 4,730 MW following the completion of Chashma-5, he added. He explained that the Chashma-5 project was based on the advanced Hualong One (HPR1000) design, a third-generation pressurised water reactor. The plant was being developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The project's first concrete was poured on December 30, 2024. Highlighting global trends, he noted that nuclear power was regaining international attention. Several developed nations, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and South Korea, which had previously scaled back or planned to phase out nuclear power, were now re-engaging with the sector and actively building new nuclear plants. The general manager said that nuclear energy offered a cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly electricity source. In calendar year 2024, nuclear power accounted for roughly 13% of Pakistan's total electricity supply. In December 2024 alone, its share peaked at around 26.5%.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Over 100 Panhandle coaches attend clinic highlighting safety for student athletes
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Students are wrapping up the school year this week, but coaches are already thinking about summer football workouts under the hot August sun. Over 100 coaches from across the Panhandle gathered on Wednesday in Bay County to learn more about safely managing and protecting their players during workouts, practices, and games. The Panhandle Area Educational Consortium, or the PAEC, organized the coaches' clinic to make coaches aware of potential tragedies and help prevent them. Governor Ron DeSantis signs two bills to help 'stand by man's best friend' 'We have coaches from those 10 districts and Bay County as well that have come together to hear speakers that are lawyers and doctors talk about the laws, the ways to care for kids, the things we need to do to ensure kids are safe,' PAEC Administrator of Risk Management Mickey Hudson said. Anyone can imagine, the heat in Florida is a major concern. 'At Mosley and all the schools and medical schools, we have what we call the weather machine, but there's a machine that's attached out there to one of the power poles right by the practice field. And it goes to an app on your phone. And we use this thing called the wet bulb thermometer that not just measures the outside, but the moisture, the wind conditions, a lot of different things that go out and then based and we get readings on that by the minute,' Mosley High School Head Football Coach Tommy Joe Whiddon said. The wet-bulb temperature measures how easily the body can cool itself through sweating. When the temperature is too hot, sweat cannot evaporate and cool itself down, which leads to heat illness. Concussions are also a serious concern. The key point is, those who have symptoms can't play. 'The law already helps them out because the word that you use that is most important is they have symptoms, and so they're removed from play. That's hard. They know that that's a hard line. There's no question about that,' Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic's Dr. Todd Hewitt said. Port St. Joe mourns the loss of star football player Last year, the Port St. Joe Tiger Sharks' star football player, Chance Gainer, died during a game. Chance's mother, Equila Gainer, spoke to coaches Wednesday to inspire them to do their part to prevent potential injuries. 'We're bringing awareness to what these kids could possibly be feeling. They've actually done the second chance, where EKGs will be mandatory in the school system. So I think now that people are more aware of what happened to my son, Chance, they're actually looking now, looking for signs, looking for little tales of what we can do or how we can fix the situation,' Equila said. The Second Chance Act, named after Chance Gainer, will be implemented in the 2026 school year. It will require all student-athletes in Florida to receive EKG screenings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Youm-e-Takbeer marks country's strides in peaceful use of nuclear technology for national development
ISLAMABAD: On the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer, Pakistan marks its historic achievement of becoming a nuclear power on May 28, 1998. While honoring this strategic milestone, the day also highlights Pakistan's remarkable strides in the peaceful use of nuclear technology for national development, health, energy, and agriculture. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the country's premier nuclear organization, continues to lead efforts in leveraging nuclear science for the benefit of its citizens. A prominent example is the PAEC's network of 20 cancer hospitals across the country, offering advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as linear accelerators and PET scanners, these hospitals provide comprehensive care to cancer patients. Notably, the NORI Cancer Hospital in Islamabad offers cutting-edge treatment through the Cyber Knife technology, a non-invasive robotic radiosurgery tool available to patients. Approximately 80% of Pakistan's cancer patients receive diagnosis and treatment through PAEC's medical facilities—an enduring testament to its commitment to public health. In the energy sector, Pakistan is making significant contributions to low-cost, clean and sustainable power generation through its six nuclear power plants. These nuclear power plants provide a stable and reliable source of electricity to the national grid, meeting the country's continuous energy demands while reducing environmental impact. Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1 (C-1) recently achieved a milestone by operating continuously for 400 days, setting a national record and demonstrating operational excellence. Looking ahead, Chashma Unit-5 (C-5), currently under development, is expected to generate 1,200 MW of electricity upon completion, making it the largest nuclear power facility in Pakistan. Agriculture and biotechnology are also at the forefront of PAEC's peaceful nuclear applications. Its affiliated research institutes have played a vital role in enhancing food security through the development of disease-resistant and high-yield crop varieties. These innovations are empowering farmers and improving national agricultural productivity. Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) in Faisalabad is also developing coloured cotton — an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional textile production. NIAB has also earned recognition as an IAEA Collaborating Centre for advanced agricultural research. As Pakistan celebrates Youm-e-Takbeer, it reaffirms its unwavering commitment to utilizing nuclear technology for peace, progress, and prosperity. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission continues to be a cornerstone in national development—empowering lives, powering industries, and promoting sustainability across the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
News18
12-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Pakistan Firm With Nuke Links Accessed US Tech, Sought Pahalgam Images Before Attack: Report
A Pakistani geospatial company named Business System International Pvt Ltd (BSI), owned by Obaidullah Syed, illegally bought satellite imagery from a US-based company in Colorado and then resold it to the Pakistani government, including agencies linked to nuclear weapons development, news outlet The Print said in a report. The US Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) uncovered this activity in 2020 and found that Syed and his company had deep links with Pakistan's Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and the National Development Complex (NDC). The PAEC and NDC are two powerful arms of Pakistan's defence and nuclear programme and are responsible for building nuclear weapons and missile systems.
The Print
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
US Homeland Security knew in 2020 Pakistani firm illegally sold satellite images to Pak govt
Colorado is the hub of satellite and geospatial companies. The two major firms from this US state with 'eyes in the sky' that sell their images are Maxar Technologies and Albedo Space. It is important to note that Maxar had later declared BSI Pakistan as a partner. Incidentally, Albedo was founded in 2020 when the criminal case against BSI was already underway in the US courts. Syed's connection to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and the National Development Complex (NDC), the aerospace and defence agency of Pakistan's Ministry of Defence, was uncovered by the US government's Homeland Security Investigation (HIS). ThePrint has access to the complaint filed by HSI before US Magistrate Judge M David Weisman on 15 September 2020. These agencies are responsible for 'weaponizing nuclear technology through missile development and other means,' read the complaint. New Delhi: Pakistani geospatial firm Business System International Pvt Ltd, purchased satellite images from a Colorado-based company and sold them illegally to the Pakistan government. The firm and its owner, Obaidullah Syed, also made financial dealings and exchanged emails with top officials and agencies directly involved in Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme. 'BSI purchases satellite images from a Colorado-based company and then sells those images to an unspecified arm of the Pakistan government,' read a complaint filed by HSI special agent Jennifer Green. Though Syed was sentenced to a year in federal prison in 2022 for exporting goods and services from the US to the PAEC, his company became a partner with Maxar in 2023. A few months later, orders for satellite images of Pahalgam started appearing on its portal. ThePrint had exclusively reported that there was an unprecedented spike in orders for Pahalgam in February this year, just two months before the terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians. Maxar Technologies spokesperson denied that the orders for the satellite images were placed by BSI. However, hours after ThePrint report was published, the firm was removed from Maxar's partner page. Also read: How Maxar partner fooled US manufactures into aiding Pakistan's nuclear programme Links with Pakistan's nuclear weapons programme A Pakistani-American businessman from Northbrook, a suburb in Illinois, Syed had dealings not just with PAEC but with top government bodies and officials in Pakistan. Between 2006 and 2020, he sent multiple emails to the principal scientific officer of Pakistan's Directorate of Science Division. Employees of BSI Pakistan were also found to be connected with this unnamed officer on social media accounts. During her investigation, Jennifer Green's team found multiple email exchanges between Syed, BSI, and Pakistani officials, the HSI agent wrote in her complaint. The report cited emails confirming monetary exchange with the director of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the agency that designs and tests high explosives and nuclear weapon parts, and develops solid-fuelled ballistic missiles. It also confirmed BSI's dealings with the National Development Complex (NDC), an aerospace and defence agency of Pakistan's Ministry of Defence responsible for the country's programmes aimed at 'weaponizing nuclear technology through missile development and other means'. 'On or about April 28, 2015, a BSI-Pakistan employee emailed his colleagues a copy of a bank check received from the NDC, which special agents obtained pursuant to a warrant to search another BSI-Pakistan employee email account,' the complaint read. It went on to note that the cheque was made payable to BSI-Pakistan and signed by 'NDC Employee A in his capacity as 'Director General (C&S), National Development Complex, Islamabad'. Maxar Technologies has yet to respond to ThePrint's queries on whether it had conducted any background check on BSI before enrolling a company with a history of federal crime as a partner. The firm has not confirmed whether BSI Pakistan has been officially removed as a partner. (Edited by Ratan Priya)
