KARACHI - Responding to objections raised by experts and civil society members, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission invited them to visit the site of K-2/K-3 project.
In a letter sent to stakeholder organisations including Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research and Strengthening Participatory Organisation on Wednesday, PAEC has sought their visit to the site followed by a briefing about the plant.
All the partner organisations arranged a dialogue on the Implication of Nuclear Power Plants in Coastal Areas and expressed concerns over the project, keeping in mind the impacts of similar projects like Japan.
PAEC chairman Ansar Parvez said, “PAEC welcomes such discussions but would also seek an opportunity to ensure that all views are based on objective information about various aspects of the project. I wish to invite those related to your organisations and with concerns about these issues to a participatory forum to see closely how the PAEC is handling or plans to handle the issues of safety, environment and emergency procedures for nuclear power plants in the country including the K-2/K-3 plant,” he added.
“When you are at site, I will be available to give a briefing on various aspects of the K-2/K-3 project including the steps taken in its design, construction, and operational phases to ensure the safety of people living in the surrounding area and in the city of Karachi. Features of the plant are designed to protect the environment, including the air, sea and land will also be highlighted,” he said in the letter.
The site has already a nuclear power plant, KANUPP, which has safely operated for more than 41 years, he added. “We would also like to share experiences from the long history of this plant that may be relevant to the new project. PAEC will ferry all the participants to the site from some central points in the City. To meet security requirements, a list of names and CNIC numbers will be required at least two days in advance. Traveling to and from the site, visits, presentations and discussions may take up to five hours,” the letter said.