Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology

The Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (PINSTECH) is one of nation's leading research and development Institution affiliated to the national security.^[6] It is a principle national laboratory that has the responsibility by ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of nation's nuclear weapons program by advancing applications in science and technology.^: 84 [7]

The PINSTECH is located in Nilore, about 15 mi (24 km) southeast of Islamabad, and was designed by the American firm, AMF Atomics and Edward Durell Stone who once worded: "This....has been my greatest work. I am proud that it looks like it belongs in this country.."^{: 56–57 [7][3]}

Since owned by the Government of Pakistan, its managed by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.^[7] The scientific research programs are supported at the laboratory through the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences, also in Nilore.^[6] The laboratory covers around 400 acres (1.6 km²) area.^[6][3]

 

The establishment of the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science & Technology (Pinstech) was embodiment of the Atoms for Peace initiative in 1953 and a long-sought initiative led by Abdus Salam who was lobbying for a professional physical laboratory since 1951.^[8] Budget constraints and lack of interests by the government administration had left a deep impression on Salam who was determined to establish to create an institution to which scientists from the developing countries would come as a right to interact with their peers from industrially advanced countries without permanently leaving their own countries.^[8] Construction of the Pinstech began when Salam who was able to find funding from the United States in 1961.^[8]

Eventually, Salam and I. H. Usmani approached Glenn T. Seaborg for the further funding of the laboratory from the United States government, which stipulated the fund if the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission were to set up a research reactor of their own at sum of US$ 350,000.^{: 269 [9]} Contrary to United States' financial pledges, it was reported that the actual cost of building the Pinstech was neared at US$ 6.6 million ($63.8 million in 2023) that was funded and paid by the Pakistani taxpayers in 1965.^[3]

From 1965–69, the Pinstech had an active and direct laboratory-to-laboratory interaction with the American national laboratories such as Oak Ridge, Argonne, Livermore, and Sandia.^{: 269 [9][10][11]}

The scientific library of the institute consisted of a large section containing historical references and literatures on the Manhattan Project, brought by Abdus Salam in 1971 prior to start of the nuclear weapons program under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's administration.^{: 51–100 [12]}

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) hired the laboratory's first director Rafi Muhammad, a professor of physics at the Government College University, Lahore (GCU), who affiliated the Pinstech with the Quaid-i-Azam University in 1967, bearing some special materials testing.^[13] Soon, the scientists from Institute of Theoretical Physics of the Quaid-i-Azam University had an opportunity to seek permanent research employment in physics at the laboratory.^[8]

After the costly war with India in 1971, the re-purposing of the Pinstech Laboratory was difficult since it was never intended to be a weapons laboratory.^[3] Initially, the plutonium pit production at Pinstech was quite difficult together with its tiny research reactor that could never be a source of weapons-grade plutonium.^[3] In spite of its short-comings, the investigations and classified studies on understanding the equation of state on plutonium was started the physicists at the Pinstech laboratory in 1972.^[3] The Pinstech laboratory became a main research and development laboratory when it initiated its ingenious program for the production of plutonium oxide (plutonia) and uranium oxide (Urania) in 1973.^{: 106 [7]}

The Pinstech laboratory was also a learning center for gaining expertise in nuclear fuel cycle which it provided training to other facilities after learning the very basic knowledge from the European industries prior to 1969.^[3] At the Pinstech laboratory, a pilot plant (New Labs) was built for reprocessing spent reactor fuel into plutonium pit production.^[3] Besides its fundamental and basic programs on physical sciences, the laboratory provided a ground for the Pakistani scientists to design and engineer weapon designs, with many feared that India was rapidly developing a nuclear bomb.^[7]

As Nilore became restricted site, the research efforts were directed towards working on understanding and producing first the reactor-grade plutonium and eventually to military-grade plutonium from the spent fuel rods by undergoing a chemical process, "reprocessing".^{: 138 [7]} The design work had carried out on 20 different laboratories at the lab, and it was its New Labs facility of the lab that was able to produce the first batch of the weapon grade plutonium of ²³⁹Pu by 1983.^{: 191 [7]} This weapon-grade plutonium was the source material that was carried on a nuclear test conducted at the Ras Koh Range on 30 May 1998.^{: 205 [7]}

The scientists at the Pinstech laboratory initiated the studies on understanding the ingenious nuclear fuel cycle in spite of having basic familiarity.^{: 115 [7]} In 1973, the lab conducted several studies on understanding the properties of uranium oxide, eventually producing the first fuel bundle in 1976 that was shipped to the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant to keep its grid operations running.^{: 106 [7]} The Pinstech also took initiatives in learning and understanding the chemistry of uranium hexafluoride, which the technology was transferred to the Islamabad Uranium Conversion Facility in 1974.^{: 115–116} In addition, the understanding of UF6 eventually led in producing the Zircaloys, which it was also produced at the lab first; and later having it transfer the technology to the Kundian Nuclear Fuel Complex in 1980.^{: 115–116}

As of today, PINSTECH has been shifted to peacetime research in medicine, biology, materials and physics. Its Molybdenum-42 facility was used to medical radioisotopes for treating cancer. Scientists from Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology (NIAB) and Nuclear Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) had been using the PINSTECH facilities to conduct advanced research in both medical and food sciences.

 

Since its repurposing in 1972, the Pinstech laboratory conducts research into understanding the equation of state of plutonium, its phase diagrams, and its properties.^{: 200 [7]} In 1987, the Pinstech developed a technology by fabricating a Chromium kF39 and developed an innovative technique, "in-stu leaching", which allowed the extraction of actinides from the uranium ore without the need for conventional milling.^{: 113 [7]}

The computer scientists at the Pinstech Laboratory had built a supercomputer based on the vintage IBM computer architecture that allowed the physicists at the Pinstech to model the behavior of plutonium without the actual nuclear testing.^{: 176 [7]} Research work on plutonium is conducted at its special-purpose facility, the New Laboratories, where the weapon-grade nuclear explosives are designed and manufactured.^[3] Much of the work on plutonium is, however, is subjected to classified information.^[3]

The Centralized Analysis Facility (CAF) has been utilized chemistry on plutonium and other areas of actinides sciences are studied and conducts experiments at the Central Diagnostic Laboratory (CDL); both of labs are the most potent facilities in Pakistan.^[3]

Besides its national security mission, the lab promotes applications of radiation and isotope technology in various scientific and technological disciplines to support the nation.^[3] It is also working on important non-nuclear fields, which are crucial for the development of science and technology in the country. In 2020, expansion work was started at Pinstech lab to help its "ability to produce isotopes for medical use, especially for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals for cancer patients while also helping the country in its aspirations in other applications of peaceful use of nuclear technology."^[1]

PINSTECH has particle accelerators and also operates two small nuclear research reactors, a reprocessing plant and another experimental neutron source based on:

• PARR-I Reactor-Utilize Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU)
• PARR-II Reactor-Utilize High-Enriched Uranium (HEU)
• New Labs-Plutonium reprocessing (PR) facility.
• Charged Particle Accelerator- a nuclear particle accelerator.
• Fast Neutron Generator- An experimental neutron generator.

The PINSTECH four research directorates and each directorate is headed by an appointed Director-Generals. The following PINSTECH Divisions are listed below:

Physics Research Division (RPD)

The directorate of science consists of four division, and each divisions are headed by deputy director-generals. In 2004, the PINSTECH administration had brought together all of the groups, and were merged into one single Division, known as Physics Research Division (PRD).^[14] Meanwhile, the PINSTECH had also merged Nuclear Physics Division (NPD) and Radiation Physics Division (RPD), Nuclear and Applied Chemistry Divisions as well. The below is the list of research groups working in RPD.

• Atomic and Nuclear Radiation Group
• Fast Neutron Diffraction Group (FNDG)^{[NB 1]}
• Electronic and Magnetic Materials Group (EMMG)^{[NB 2]}
• Nuclear Track Studies Group
• Nuclear Geology Group
• Radiation Damage Group
• Diagnostics Group
• Mathematical Physics Group (MPG)^{[NB 3]}
• Theoretical Physics Group (TPG)^{[NB 4]}

Chemistry Research Division (CRD)

• Nuclear Chemistry Division (NCD) - The Nuclear Chemistry Division was founded in 1966 by Dr. Iqbal Hussain Qureshi.^{[NB 5]} As of today, the division is the largest Divisions of the PINSTECH comprising five major groups. Nuclear Chemistry Division has gained experience in the characterization of reactor grade and high purity materials by using advanced analytical techniques and it is dealing with environmental and health related problems.^[15]

• Applied Chemistry Division
• Laser Development Division

The Directorate of System and Services (DSS, headed by Dr. Matiullah, consists of 5 research divisions that are listed below:

• Health Physics Division (HPD) - The Health Physics Division (HPD) was established in 1965 by the small team of health physicists. Founded as a group, it was made a division of PINSTECH in 1966. The division heavily involves its research in medical physics and using nuclear technology in medical and agricultural sciences.^[16]
• Nuclear Engineering Division (NED) - The Nuclear Engineering Division (NED, headed by Dr. Masood Iqbal, is one of the most prestigious and well-known Division of Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH). The Division was established in 1965 with the objective to develop technical expertise mainly in the area of Nuclear Reactor Technology.^[17] The NED has been used to provide technical assistance and training to the field of reactor technology.^[18]
• Electronics Maintenance Division (EMD) - The Electronics Division (ED, headed by Mr. Hameed, was formally established in 1967, recognizing its important role in scientific research and development at PINSTECH. The Division has rendered valuable service to the scientific effort by carrying out maintenance of scientific equipment and development of electronic instruments for use in research and development projects.^[19] In 1989, the ED was involved in the upgrade program of the PARR-I Reactor led by PAEC chairman Munir Ahmad Khan. The ED had supplied and developed electronic material and system for the PARR-I Reactor, and had successfully converted PARR-I to utilize HEU fuel into LEU fuel.^[20] An outstanding achievement ED was the design and engineering of nuclear instrumentation of research reactor (PARR-1) which required a very high degree of sophistication and reliability.

• General Services Division (GSD) - The General Services Division (GSD) is responsible for the routine operational research, maintenance repairs of the laboratories, upkeep and development of engineering services such as civil, electrical, mechanical workshops, air conditioning as well as water supply to PINSTECH and annexed labs.^[21]

• Computer Division (CD) - Computer Division (CD) was established in January 1980 with an aim to provide service and support to the researchers and scientists of PINSTECH in the area of computer hardware and software. Although computer division is still providing computer hardware and software services but it has gradually shifted its activities from being only a service provider division to an important design and development division.^[22]

The Directorate of Technology (D-TECH) consists of 3 divisions that are Materials Division (MD), Isotope Application Division (IAD), and the Isotope Production Division (IPD).This is currently overseen by Dr. Gulzar Hussain Zahid, Chief Engineer.

• Materials Division (MD) - Materials Division (MD) was established in 1973, with aim of to provide technical assistance to other PAEC's projects on development, production and characterization of materials.^[23]
• Isotope Application Division (IAD) - The Isotope Application Division (IAD)^{[NB 6]} was established in PINSTECH by Dr. Naeem Ahmad Khan in early 1971. Having known as the problem solver in the institute, the IAD is responsible for solving the problems in Isotope Hydrolog, Environmental Pollution, Non-Destructive Testing, Industrial Applications, Life Sciences, and Isotope Geology. IAD also extends expert services to solve relevant problems faced by the industrial sector and different organizations.^[24]
• Isotope Production Division (IPD) - The Isotope Production Division (IPD)^{[NB 7]} It contains Molly Group, Generator Production group, Kit production Group. IPD also involves in modification of exiting isotope production facility.^[25]

The Directorate of Coordination, headed by Engr. Iqbal Hussain Khan, is an administrative directorate which consists of 3 technical support divisions. Computation, Information, Communication Technologies (CICT)/Management Information System (MIS) Division, The Scientific Information Division (SID), Programme Coordination Division (PCD) are included in this division.

• Computation Information & Communication Technologies Division/Management Information Systems (MISD) - CICT/MIS division headed by Dr. Syed Zubair Ahmad was established in 1980 for developing computation and information technologies infrastructure at PINSTECH. Initially mainframe computer systems like VAX/11-780 were deployed to provide computational support to the scientific community at PINSTECH. Later on with the advent of distributed computing technologies, numerous distribute systems were deployed to achieve higher processing and storage capacity than mainframe computers. These include Data and Compute clusters, grids, clouds and applications. Data acquisition systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and advanced network architectures are also developed and deployed.
• Scientific Information Division (SID)- The Scientific Information Division (SID, headed by Dr. Ishtiaq Hussain Bokhari, was established in PINSTECH in 1966. It was upgraded into a full-fledged division in 1984. SID is the central source of scientific and technical information not only for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission but also for other scientific organizations and universities in the country and is responsible for the efficient acquisition, storage, retrieval and dissemination of Scientific and Technical information in support of the PAEC program.^[26]

• Analytical Laboratories
• Charged Particle Accelerator
• Computer Oriented Services
• Corrosion Testing
• Environmental Studies Building
• Health Physics, Radiation Safety & Radioactive Waste Management
• Irradiation Laboratories
• Lasers Laboratory and Testing Facility
• Materials Development & Characterization
• Nuclear Geological Services
• Processing of Polymers
• Production of Radioisotopes & Radio-pharmaceuticals
• Radiation & Radioisotope Applications
• Repair & Maintenance of Electronic Equipment
• Scientific & Industrial Instruments
• Scientific Glass Blowing
• Scientific Information
• Technical Services & Collaboration
• Vacuum Technology Laboratory
• Vibration Analysis