Pakistan has established national regulations for protection against ionizing radiation, adhering to the safety standards and guidance provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Counsellor Naeem Sabir Khan told the Fourth Committee during the 78th UN General Assembly Debate on ‘Effects of Atomic Radiation’.

He said Pakistan acknowledges the efforts of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) to undertake broad reviews of the sources of ionising radiation and the effects on human health and the environment since its inception in 1955.

The Counsellor said Pakistan’s Atomic Energy Commission’s nuclear and radiation facilities are regularly performing radiation exposure measurements of workers and patients in cancer hospitals, as well as assessments of public exposure around nuclear facilities. The exposure data are maintained for analysis and future reference. So, Pakistan will continue providing its input on an online platform for collecting data on the exposure of patients and workers and will continue taking part in UNSCEAR's global surveys of radiation exposure through designated national contact persons.

He said Pakistan supports the Committee's ongoing work on the evaluations of second primary cancer after radiation therapy, diseases of the circulatory system from radiation exposure, epidemiological studies of radiation and cancer, as well as the upcoming evaluations on the eye lens opacities, radiation effects on the immune system, radiation effects on the nervous system, and noncancer effects from ionising radiation.

Pakistan holds the view that to reinforce public acceptance of nuclear technology, global efforts are required to be directed to bring into the limelight the beneficial aspects of atomic radiation. We encourage UNSCEAR to further improve the website of the Committee and the publication of informative brochures and posters for the public in all the official languages of the United Nations.

Counsellor Naeem Sabir Khan said that Pakistan will continue to volunteer its expert services in the review and assessment of UNSCEAR scientific literature related to sources of ionization radiation and their effects on human health and the environment through its prestigious organizations, i.e., PAEC, in collaboration with PNRA.