PAEC's National Centre for Non-destructive Testing (NCNDT) 
conducts Non-destructive In-service Inspection (ISI) for Condition Assessment of Defective Lean Amine and Amine Booster Pumps Casings at Sawan Gas Field of OMV (Pakistan)

Recently a team of NCNDT visited the Sawan Gas Field of OMV (Pakistan) at District Khairpur, Sindh to ascertain the crack growth behavior of the six defective casings of Lean Amine Pumps and of four casings of Amine Booster Pumps by location and sizing of surface cracks, determination of through thickness depth, thickness gauging at location of cracks, determination of hardness and final evaluation based on fracture mechanics.

NCNDT conducted the first Non-destructive Testing (NDT) on six high pressure cast steel Lean Amine Pumps Casings of Sawan Gas Field in June 2005 to investigate the root cause of initiation and propagation of cracks in the first year of their operation. The follow-up non-destructive in-service inspections of these pump casings were carried out in January 2006, July 2006, January 2007 and January 2008 to ascertain quantitatively the rate of 

deterioration level and also to assess their fitness for service. As the defective casings are to remain in-service due to operational requirements of the plant, propagation of cracks are being monitored periodically by NCNDT keeping in view the obvious safety concerns.

For Casings of Amine Booster Pumps, it was the first ISI with the purpose to obtain preliminary data to enable future condition assessment of these casings. 

During present periodic non-destructive condition re-assessment of Lean Amine pumps casings and condition assessment of casings of Amine Booster Pumps, NCNDT utilized ultrasonic testing, thickness measurement, crack depth measurement, magnetic particle testing, dyepenetrant testing and hardness testing methods.

Dyepenetrant Testing of Lean Amine Pump Casing.

Magnetic particle testing of Amine Booster Pumps Casing.

Crack Depth Measurement of Amine Booster Pumps 
Pump Casing.

A refresher course on “Handling of Radiation Emergency” at PINSTECH 

Health Physics Division, Directorate of Systems & Services, PINSTECH organized a two-day refresher course on "Handling of Radiation Emergency at PINSTECH from 8-9, April 2009. The main objective of the course was to create basic know-how about the handling of site and sector radiation emergency. 

Despite extreme care by operators, unexpected events may occur, posing risk to the health of workers, general public and the environment. To mitigate the possible consequences of any event that might occur during the operational life of a nuclear or radiation facility, licensees are responsible for maintaining emergency preparedness. 
The course was initially planned for Radiation Protection Officers (RPO's) of PINSTECH. But later on, few nominations from sister organizations at PINSTECH complex were also 

invited, who could play some role in the effective handling of such emergency at PINSTECH. Finally, a total 30 participants out of 44 applicants were selected. It includes 18 from PINSTECH, 08 from sister organizations of PINSTECH complex and 03 from PINSTECH Model College, Nilore. 

The course was inaugurated by DG, PINSTECH Engr. Nasrullah Khan Qazi on April 08, 2009 and delivered lectures by scientists of Heath Physics Division. The participants very enthusiastically took part in this activity and showed keen interest in this course. The course was successfully concluded with the distribution of certificate by Director Science Dr. Jamshed Hussain Zaidi, CS, on April 09, 2009 with the hope that all the participants will disseminate the same to their fellows and co-workers in their place of work. 
 

Participants of the Course with Course Director, Dr. S. Salman Ahmad, CS, lecturers and 
other senior officials of PINSTECH. 

One-day Workshop on "Management of Gynaecological Tumours" 
at BINO, Bahawalpur

A one-day workshop on the management of Gynaecological Tumours was organized at PAEC’s BINO cancer hospital, Bahawalpur on 11th April 2009. The aim of this academic event was to stress upon the need for early diagnosis of Gynaecological malignancies. These tumours are almost curable if detected in an early stage. The other objective was to develop interaction amongst various specialities involved in the management of these tumours. 
The workshop was a part of the teaching and training programme of PAEC. Eminent specialists from Bahawalpur, Multan, Rahim-Yar Khan and Larkana actively participated in this workshop. Prof. Dr. Capt. (Retd.) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Principal, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College (Q.M.C) Bahawalpur inaugurated the workshop. Dr. Shahab Fatmi, Director BINO in his welcome address highlighted the academic activities of Nuclear Medical Centres and stressed the need for developing close cooperation and interaction among doctors of various specialities, for better management of gynaecological tumours. 

(L to R) Prof. Dr. Aslam Mehmood Malik, Head of the Gynae. Unit, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, 
Bahawalpur, Prof. Dr. Capt. (Retd) Ijaz Ahmed Shah, Principal, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College,
 Bahawalpur and Dr. Shahab Fatmi, Director, BINO, at the inaugural ceremony of the workshop.

MINAR Starts Food Support Programme for its Patients

In addition to giving free food to its admitted patients, PAEC’s Cancer Hospital MINAR, Multan has gone a step further and the indigent cancer patients are now being given food supplies after their discharge from the hospital. It was seen that patients who are admitted for cancer treatment progressively use up all resources and often go to a home where food stocks are severely depleted or even absent. With this programme, that gives out basic food groups (Atta, Sugar, Lentils, Dry Milk, Tea, Cooking Oil), the patients will have enough food for many days, enabling them to settle-in without the stress of having to find immediate work.

IAEA Fellowship Training of NCNDT Officials at Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia) 

Mr. Khurram Shahzad Ahmad, Senior Engineer and Mirza Safeer Ahmad, Junior Scientist from NCNDT, SES Directorate attended three month fellowship training in the field of Automatic Ultrasonic Testing. Fellowship was related to IAEA TC Project PAK/4/046 entitled “Development of Capabilities in Automatic Ultrasonic and Material Corrosion Testing for Integrity Assessment”. The fellowship training was held at Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, Malaysia. During the training fellows worked on Automatic ultrasonic equipment developed by Malaysian Nuclear Agency (Nuclear Malaysia). 
This training is highly beneficial for carrying out NDT inspection and for development of Automatic Ultrasonic system in Pakistan. 

Participants of the workshop with chief guest and Director, NIA.

Ph. D. Degree for PAEC Scientist (A)

Mr. Muhammad Irfaq Khan, Senior Scientist, Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar has been awarded Ph.D. degree by Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. The title of his thesis was "Genetic Studies of Yellow Rust (Puccillia striiformis West.) Resistance and Yield Components in Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)". The research work was supervised by Prof. Dr. Mir Ajab Khan. The laboratory experiments on molecular genotyping of wheat germplasm for stripe rust resistant QTLs were conducted at Institute of Biotechnology, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Science, Jiangsu, China under the co-supervision of Prof. Dr. Ma Hongxiang. The visit abroad was funded by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. 

PAEC's Cancer Hospital NORI signs MoU with Pink Ribbon Campaign 

Breast cancer is one of the major killers all over the world. At the same time breast cancer related mortality can be reduced significantly if the disease is detected early and the patient is provided timely and proper treatment. Keeping these facts in mind Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission is constantly endeavoring to fight against this menace. Breast cancer is the commonest malignancy not only as registered at NORI but all over the country and worldwide. Out of every 10 new female patients coming to NORI 03 are suffering from breast cancer.

NORI has taken a lead in creating breast cancer awareness and has achieved another milestone by signing MoU with PINK RIBBON CAMPAIGN PAKISTAN on 25/05/2009. In this connection a simple ceremony was arranged in the auditorium of NORI. Member (Biosciences),Dr. Abdul Rashid was the chief guest on the occasion. Mr. Omar Aftab National Coordinator represented Pink Ribbon Campaign Pakistan. Dr. Javed Irfan, Director, NORI, gave a presentation on the working and achievements of NORI Hospital.
Member (Biosciences),Dr. Abdul Rashid applauded the services rendered by thirteen cancer hospitals run by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Collaboration with Pink Ribbon Campaign Pakistan will be beneficial to our general public. This will help in educating the public about the significance of early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Dr. Abdul Rashid, Member (Biosciences) signing MoU with Pink Ribbon Campaign.

Computer Training Centre (CTC) organizes a 5-week course on Office Automation

To enhance the technical skills of PAEC officials (both technical and non-technical, officers & staff), different short term courses and workshops are arranged by CTC of PAEC's Instrumentation Control and Computer Complex (ICCC) in the field of IT from time to time. Recently CTC conducted a 5-week course on “Office Automation” for the PAEC HQs personnel (Administration Staff). The course was conducted in two batches from 03-03-2009 to 03-04-2009 and from 13-04-2009 to 15-05-2009 respectively. 

The course was designed to familiarize the participants with the use of computers by utilizing the full power of MS Office in the office documents, providing them “learning by doing” environment. The participants were equipped with computer skills to work more efficiently and with great confidence. The course contents contained different modules of Microsoft Office. A total of thirty five (35) participants attended the course. Director, ICCC Mr. M. Imtiaz Rabbani distributed certificates among the participants at the end of each session. The participants appreciated the importance and need of such training courses towards developing human resource in the Commission.

INOR Cancer Awareness Program for Health Staff

PAEC's Institute of Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy (INOR) Abbottabad is the latest amongst the 13 medical centres of PAEC throughout the length & breadth of the country. It is fully equipped with latest equipment both in the field of Nuclear Medicine & Radiotherapy and has a wide catchments area. In order to create awareness about early detection of cancer specially breast cancer and to give insight of INOR, so that, the facilities at INOR should be utilized fully, a campaign to deliver lectures to lady health workers & medical doctors was launched in collaboration with EDO Health Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur. In the first leg of this campaign, a team headed by Dr. Amjad Aziz Khan, Director, INOR delivered lecture to LHV and Women health workers at Mansehra on 6th April 2009. Almost 120 LHVs & Women Health Workers attended this lecture that was followed by lively question-answer session. Then on 7th April 2009 a similar programme was arranged for LHVs at Abbottabad. Almost 40 LHVs attended & then on 10th April 2009 for medical officers under EDO Health, Abbottabad. Thirty doctors attended the session. 

Keeping in view the turnout, zeal and enthusiasm shown during question, answer session by doctors & LHVs, it is felt that this campaign will be quite successful in creating awareness about cancer, its early detection & also about the facilities present at INOR, Abbotabad 

Dr. Amjad Aziz Khan, Director, INOR delivering lecture to 
LHVs and Women health workers.

Visit of Member abroad 

Dr. Abdul Rashid, Member (Biosciences), PAEC participated in Steering Coordination Meeting-Responding to the Trans-Boundary Threat of Wheat Black Stem Rust (ugb99) held at Vienna, Austria from 04-08 May, 2009.

Assignments of PAEC Experts Abroad 

Mr. Ahmad Mumtaz, Senior Director, Applied Systems Analysis Division (ASAD), PAEC, Islamabad participated as Lecturer in the Regional (AFRA) Training Course on How to Formulate National Energy Plans and Strategies held at Accra, Ghana from 04-08 May, 2009. 
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Syed Raza Akhlaq, Principal Engineer, Mr. Shahid Mahmood Malik, Principal Engineer and Syed Yasir Akhtar, Senior Engineer, Karachi Nuclear Power Complex (KNPC), Karachi undertook Mission as National Consultants for Expert Mission EM-065-to Review Emergency Operating Procedures Developed by KANUPP at IAEA Headquarters, Vienna, Austria from 18-22 May, 2009 under Project-Improving Safety Features of KANUPP. 
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Mr. Manzur Hussain, Chief Engineer, Director Waste Management, Directorate General of National Repository (DGNFC), Islamabad, participated in the following activities of IAEA:- 

1. Technical meeting on "International Low-Level Waste Disposal Network (DISPONET)", Vienna, Austria, from 15 to 16 April 2009. The main goal of DISPONET is to support low level waste disposal via a prompt, open and efficient transfer and exchange of knowledge gained through learning from the experience of others.

2. National expert mission, Vienna, Austria, 17 April 2009. To discuss on implementation of remaining activities of IAEA-PAEC TC Project PAK/3/011 entitled "Strengthening the Infrastructure for the Management of Radioactive Waste in Pakistan". To revise work plan of IAEA-PAEC TC Project PAK/9/032 entitled "Strengthening of Infrastructure for Development and Safety Assessment of Radioactive Waste Disposal Facilities" 

3. Technical meeting on "Training in and Demonstration of Waste Disposal Technologies in Underground Research Facilities- An IAEA Network of Centres of Excellence", in LA Grande Motte, France from 22-24 April, 2009. 

This IAEA project addresses the need for all Member States with developing civilian nuclear technologies to have understanding of the requirements and methodologies for radioactive waste disposal with particular emphasis on the underground disposal. 
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Mr. Safdar AIi, Principal Scientist, Waste Management Division, Directorate General of National Repository (DGNFC), Islamabad, participated in the IAEA technical meeting on "Practical Implementation of Safety Assessment Methodologies in the Context of Safety Case for near Surface Facility (PRISM)", Vienna, Austria from 30 March to 03 April 2009. PRISM is a new international project with objectives to share experiences and communicate good practices concerning:-

1. The components and expectations of the Safety Case and their evolution over the life cycle of a near-surface radioactive waste disposal facility . 

2. Decision making at different stages in the facility life cycle, using the Safety Case.

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Mr. M. Siddique Ahmad, Senior Scientist, Waste Management Division, Directorate General of National Repository (DGNFC), Islamabad, participated in the IAEA technical meeting on "International Project on Demonstrating the Safety of Geological Disposal (GEOSAF)", Vienna, Austria, 09-13 March, 2009. IAEA has initiated the International Project GEOSAF to examine the evolution of arguments, assessments and supporting evidence developed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of safety. The main aim of GEOSAF is to work towards harmonization of approaches worldwide to demonstrate the safety of geological disposal and development of safety case.

Visit of Foreigners to Pakistan

Mr. Robert W. Gibson, Director Trade & Investment, UK visited NIBGE

PAEC Engineer awarded Ph.D. Degree 

Mr. Javed Iqbal, Principal Engineer, Directorate of Nuclear Power Engineering Structures (DNPES), Islamabad has been declared successful for award of Ph.D. degree in the field of Structural Engineering by University of Engineering & Technology, Taxila. He accomplished his research work on "Effects of an External Explosion on a Concrete Structure" under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Saeed Ahmad. He presented results of his research work in six international conferences. He organized a special session on "Analysis & Design of Civilian Structures against Terrorist Attacks" in international Disaster & Risk Conference which took place in Davos, Switzerland from August 25 to August 29, 2008. He has ten international publications to his credit.

Ph.D. Degree for PAEC Scientist (B)

Mr. Shan Elahi, Senior Scientist, Centre for Nuclear Medicine (CENUM), Mayo Hospital, Lahore has been declared successful for award of Ph.D. degree in the subject of Chemistry by the University of the Punjab, Lahore vide Notification No. Ph.D/34/2009 dated 20th April, 2009. He carried out his research work entitled "A longitudinal study of iodine deficiency and thyroid autoimmunity in normal pregnant women and their effect on maternal and neonatal thyroid function" under the supervision of Professor Dr. Saeed Ahmad Nagra, Director, Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore. Mr. Shan Elahi (cenum2000 @yahoo.com) has 12 research papers to his credit including 3 published in international journals. He has also presented his research work in 4 international and 6 national conferences held in Pakistan. 

Chairman, PAEC visits A.E. Minerals Centre, Lahore

Chairman, PAEC, Dr. Ansar Parvez visited Atomic Energy Minerals Centre (AEMC), Lahore on 16 May 2009. 

He held meeting with Member (Fuel Cycle), Mr. Muhammad Naeem, Director General, Exploration, Mirza Zafar-ul-Islam and Sr. Director Mining, Mr. Nasir Ali Qamar and discussed the pivotal role of Mineral Sector of PAEC in its programme. He then chaired a briefing session. The detailed briefing was presented by Director General Exploration, Sr. Director, Mining Projects and Project Managers. He was apprised about the Uranium Exploration Programme & Mining Projects in Pakistan and the achievements made. 

Chairman appreciated the role of Mineral Sector of PAEC for the search and exploitation of uranium ore. 

He also visited the Laboratories & Ore Processing Dept. of Atomic Energy Minerals Centre and discussed various technical matters with scientists and engineers. 

NIFA Releases a New Wheat Variety NIFA-Bathoor-08

PAEC's Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Peshawar is known for its contribution to wheat production in the country through releasing 4 high yielding varieties. In 2008, 5th variety in the series has been got approved by the name of “NIFA-Bathoor-08”. The variety has been approved by Provincial Seed Council in its 29th meeting held on November 18, 2008 for general cultivation in the irrigated areas of NWFP. 

The new variety is high yielding, resistant to leaf and stripe rust, broadly adapted and has good roti making quality. With an acceptable plant height of 95-105cm and stronger stem, the plants of NIFA-Bathoor-08 are sufficiently resistant to lodging. The grains, with high protein and gluten contents, are bold and have attractive amber colour. 

The variety has a yield advantage of 5-20% over present-day varieties in NWFP with an average yield of 4.0, 3.4 and 3.7 tonnes/ha across 42 locations under normal and late planting and combined performance under both conditions during 2005-06. In NWFP, it gave highest grain yield of 4.5 tonnes/ha. 

This variety has been developed by Tila Mohammad, Mohammad Irfaq Khan, Dr. Fazle Subhan, Dr. Sajjad Haider and Abdul Jabbar Khan.

Newly released wheat variety “NIFA-Bathoor-08”.

A milestone achieved by KANUPP Fueling Machines

Owing to extreme hard work of fuel handling engineers and staff, KANUPP Fueling Machines achieved the milestone by safely performing the fueling of 15000th reactor channel on May 13, 2009. The fueling of 14000th reactor channel was completed on July 30, 2007. Since then, fueling is being performed safely and without any forced unavailability of plant due to fueling machines. 

IAEA Fellow Training at Nuclear Medicine & 
PET Department, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore

Dr. Asif Jielani, SMO was awarded IAEA fellowship training from 12th January 2009 to 9th February 2009 for one month at Nuclear Medicine and PET Department, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Singapore.

During his fellowship, he was trained under the supervision of Dr. Saber Osmany and Dr. Sydney Lu in nuclear medicine procedures on the state-of-the-art equipment. He was also trained in FDG PET-CT/SPECT-CT of oncological, infective, and informative disease processes. 

Special training was given for white cell labeling procedure and imaging. White cell labeling scan will be soon started at PAEC’s Cancer Hospital (INOR), Abbottabad.