The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) has authorised Heavy Mechanical Complex-3 (HMC-3) to manufacture class-1 safety equipment for nuclear plants. “Class-1 equipment is used in nuclear plants to save them from any sort of destruction,” said Pervez Butt, former Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) chairman. Talking to Pakistan Today on Tuesday, he said Pakistan used to depend on Chinese-made class-1 equipment for its nuclear plants. To a query, the nuclear expert said Class-1 equipment meant “all equipment the failure of which could result in nuclear incident”. “In case of any untoward incident, these equipments will automatically stop operation so there is no danger of nuclear destruction.” At a ceremony held on Tuesday, the PNRA chairman granted the licence to PAEC chairman. Minister for Water and Power Ahmed Mukhtar was the chief guest. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, PNRA Chairman Anwar Habib said the PNRA awarded the licence to PAEC after complete inspection. He said the PNRA was requested in 2008 for the licence but it took 3 years to PAEC to meet international standards to get this licence.
