In
the late fifties, when Pakistan embarked upon nuclear program, two major
constraints were immediately faced: the dearth of appropriately trained
manpower and the absence of even rudiments of a viable scientific and
industrial infrastructure. The solution to these problems was the
establishment of research, development and training centers. The first major step in this direction was the establishment of
Pakistan institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH),
at Nilore, near Islamabad.
Designed
by world-renowned architect Edward Durrell Stone, PINSTECH blends eastern elegance with western functionality. Construction of the Institute proceeded in
two stages: In the first stage, reactor building and
ancillary facilities were completed with the reactor becoming critical on 21st
December 1965. The second stage, consisting of various laboratories, workshop,
library and auditorium, became operational in 1974.