The evolution of the global nuclear order necessitated shared responsibility for effective nuclear governance. With the emergence of nuclear energy as a reliable source addressing global challenges and contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), states had to expand their role beyond the supervision of internal matters. Engagement, collaboration, and leadership in nuclear stewardship became inevitable. Following the course, the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) also joined the international league and became an internationally recognized nuclear governance partner, in addition to its domestic responsibilities.
Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) was created in 2001 through Ordinance No. III. This ordinance vested independent powers to the authority by dissolving the former regulatory bodies, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Board (PNRB) and Directorate of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (DNSRP). PNRA’s statute encompasses licensing, inspection and enforcement across all the nuclear lifecycle. The regulation of the Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) (K-1, K-2, K-3, C-1 to C-4), research reactors (PARR I-II), isotope production facilities, waste management and spent fuel storage facilities were given to PNRA as its mandate. Its role transcends mere monitoring of human resource and emergency preparedness to the compliance of safety and security standards established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). For that, its regulations PAK/914, PAK/925, and PAK/926 ensure licensing, joint inspections, management of databases and centralized emergency coordination through the National Radiation Emergency Coordination Centre (NRECC).
Besides its statutory mandate, PNRA productively contributes to the global nuclear workforce. It trains national participants from the IAEA member states at the National Institute for Safety and Security (NISAS). The efforts of NISAS in imparting responsible nuclear knowledge were recognized when the IAEA designated it as an IAEA Collaborating Centre. PNRA is a member of the IAEA safety standard committees e.g. the Nuclear Safety Standards Committee (NUSSC), Waste Safety Standards Committee (WASSC), Nuclear Security Guidance Committee (NSGC), Commission on Safety Standards (CSS), Transport Safety Standards Committee (TRANSSC), and Radiation Safety Standards Committee (RASSC). PNRA also shares regulatory guidance and operational best practices at esteemed international forums such as the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Network (GNSSN) and the Asian Nuclear Safety Network (ANSN). Its experts serve as reviewers for the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) missions as well.
PNRA is striving to ensure functioning and operation of all nuclear facilities in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and establish its credibility internationally through regulating complex infrastructure. Recently, it granted a license for the construction of the National Institute for Conservation of Environment (NICE), which is the first low-level radioactive waste disposal facility of Pakistan. The facility is said to store research and medically related radioactive material. Chairman PNRA remarked that the approval was given after a thorough and rigorous examination, which is compliant with the international standards. The construction of NICE reflects the ability of PNRA to regulate a long-lived and complex nuclear technology in compliance with the global standards.
PNRA has also transitioned from being a domestic nuclear regulator to an international standard-setting example. The authority’s experts not only actively engage with the IAEA but also review and contribute to the IAEA-led international safety standards, waste management, and safety and security of the nuclear installations. Through voluntary organization of several peer missions and technical contributions, the authority demonstrated its sheer resolve to strengthen the global nuclear regulatory regime and pursue benchmarks. PNRA has become a compliant regulator and contributor to the global nuclear safety and security agenda.
In the recent past, the authority has expanded its role as a global nuclear security partner. PNRA and IAEA entered into a new Country Programme Framework (CPF) in September 2025, which will span over 2026-2031. This high-impact development further puts nuclear security and safety as national-level priorities besides their peaceful use. The agreement also outlines that cooperation is the key to nuclear safety agendas. These include emergency preparedness, sophistication of regulatory technologies, and waste management, against the backdrop of emerging and disruptive technologies. Such developments mark that Pakistan is not only at the receiving end of global nuclear security but also an equal stakeholder who defines the international benchmarks.
The consolidation of Pakistan’s domestic nuclear security standards and setting them at par with the international standards was also manifested in the recent conduct of the ConvEx exercise. This exercise demonstrated international emergency preparedness and was being hosted for the first time by Pakistan. It was also the materialization of the international trust, as this exercise is entrusted to the countries with robust and international-level nuclear safety and security standards. IAEA also praised the National Radiation Emergency Coordination Center (NRECC) of Pakistan, being a nuclear safety and security standard for the states. These developments reflect international trust in the transparency and competence of PNRA.
Besides multilateral and global partnerships, PNRA brings home the best practice through bilateral collaborations as well. PNRA is an active member of the IAEA’s technical cooperation projects by sharing nuclear safety-related databases and contributions to the advisory missions. The authority has been actively engaged with the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) of China. PNRA also has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) for the capacity building of the latter’s staff. Through these collaborations, the authority contributes its insights and vast experience to the global and regional players to strengthen the global nuclear safety standards.
PNRA is cognizant of the emergence of new challenges in the wake of technological advancements in the nuclear field. Advanced nuclear reactors and digital sophistication pose novel challenges to the regulatory regimes. The CPF (2026-2031) will enable both Pakistan and the IAEA to stay ahead of these challenges and keep pace with digital analytics and artificial intelligence to advance nuclear safety and security. Through the publication of guidelines, exchange of data, and joint meetings, the authority ensures the real-time surveillance of nuclear installations. PNRA is positioning to not only cope with the emerging threats but also to keep the edge by intercepting them.
The exceptional journey of PNRA expands far beyond its institutional responsibilities. It demonstrates the image of Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state. It also contributes to the global nuclear safety and security practices through bilateral and multilateral cooperation. This journey underscores that a domestic regulator can become an international success story. It also manifests that Pakistan is a forward-looking stakeholder in the global nuclear governance that attained global trust through performance. The success also offers a powerful insight that with the technological rigor and right intent, states can become global leaders in using the nuclear technology in a safe and secure manner.
Author: Anam Murad Khan, conducts research on nuclear energy policy and its peaceful applications at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.
