PAEC is held responsible for the design preparation and proper operational function of Pakistan’s commercial nuclear power plants. The PAEC provides lobbying at the governmental level for the safe usage of nuclear power sources; through the nuclear safety regulations, Protection of the nuclear power facilities is managed by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA). Providing policy guidance to the government, APEC’s studies envision setting up power plants with a capacity of approximately 8800 Megawatts by 2030. Under this policy, the KANUPP power plants and CHASHNUPP power plants are expanding and under construction as of 2013.

PAEC was established in 1956 by the Government of Pakistan with the help of the United States Atomic Energy Commission (USAEC). The first Chairman of PAEC was Dr. Nazir Ahmed. PAEC’s headquarters is located in Islamabad, Pakistan.

PAEC has a number of research and development facilities, including:

• The Nuclear Institute for Science and Technology (NUST)
• The Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy (PINMR)
• The Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB)
• The Nuclear Institute for Food and Nutrition (NIFN)
• The Nuclear Institute for Technology and Engineering (NITE)

PAEC is committed to the peaceful use of nuclear technology. It is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive NuNuclear Test Banreaty (CTBT). PAEC is also a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

PAEC is a vital part of the government of Pakistan. It is responsible for providing Pakistan with a safe and reliable source of nuclear power, and it is playing a leading role in the development of Pakistan’s scientific and technological capabilities.