(Law, Justice and Human Rights Division)
ISLAMABAD, MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 2001 Islamabad, the 22nd January, 2001
AN ORDINANCE to provide for the establishment of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority for regulation of nuclear safety and radiation protection in Pakistan and the extent of civil liability for nuclear damage resulting from any nuclear incident; WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the establishment of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority to be the competent national authority for regulation of safety of nuclear installations, the protection against risks arising from ionizing radiation, the extent of civil liability for nuclear damage resulting from any nuclear incident and for matters ancillary thereto or connected therewith; AND WHEREAS the National Assembly and the Senate stand suspended in pursuance of the Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day of October 1999,and the Provisional Constitution Order No. I of 1999; AND WHEREAS the President is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action; NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of the Proclamation of Emergency of the fourteenth day of October 1999, and the Provisional Constitution Order No.1 of 1999, as well as Order No.9 of 1999, and in exercise of all powers enabling him in that behalf, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to make and promulgate the following Ordinance:
It extends to the whole of Pakistan.
It shall come into force at once.
(a) "Authority" means the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority established under section 3; (b) "authorization" means an authorization granted under section 20 or, as the case may be, sections 21, 22 or 23; (c) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Authority; (d) "Commission" means the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission established under the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Ordinance, 1965. (XVII of 1965); (e) "ionizing radiation" means any electromagnetic or particular radiation capable of producing ions, directly or indirectly in its passage through matter; (f) "license" means a license issued under section 19; (g) "member" means a member of the Authority; (h) "nuclear damage" means loss of life, any personal injury or any loss of, or damage to, property which arises out of or results from the radioactive properties or a combination of radioactive properties with toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of nuclear substance, radioactive materials or radioactive products or waste in, or of nuclear material coming from, originating in, or sent to, a nuclear installation, or from the ionizing radiation emitted by any other source of radiation inside a nuclear installation; (i) "nuclear fuel" means any material which is capable of producing energy by self sustaining chain process of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion or other nuclear transmutation; (j) "nuclear incident” means any occurrence, or series ofoccurrences, having the same origin which causes nucleardamage or, but only with respect to preventive measures, creates a grave and imminent threat of causing such damage; (k) "nuclear installation" means: - (i) any nuclear reactor used as a source of power or for any other purpose; (ii) any factory using nuclear fuel for the production of nuclear material, or any factory for the processing of nuclear material including any factory for the reprocessing of irradiated nuclear fuel; (iii) and any facility where nuclear material is stored, other than storage incidental to the carriage of such material: Provided that several nuclear installations of one operator, which are located at the same site, may be considered as a single nuclear installation; (l) “nuclear material" means:- (i) nuclear fuel, including natural uranium and depleted uranium, capable of producing energy by a self- sustaining chain process of nuclear fission outside a nuclear reactor, either alone or in combination with some other material; and (ii) radioactive products or waste; (m) "nuclear substance" means any substance or nuclear material which the Authority determines as being a substance or material which may be used for production of or use in atomic energy or for research into matters connected therewith and includes all substances obtained or obtainable from the soil or water by under- ground or surface working or from the atmosphere; (n) "operator", in relation to a nuclear installation, means the person licensed under section 19; (o) "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, association, trust, estate, public or private institution, group, Government agency, any state or any political subdivision or any political entity within a state, any foreign Government or nation, or other entity and includes any legal successor, representative, agent or agency of any of the aforesaid; (p) "radiation generator" means a device or an apparatus capable or generating radiation, such as X-rays, neutrons, electrons or other charged particles, which may be used for scientific, industrial or medical purposes; (q) "radioactive material" means any substance which contains or consists of radioactive nuclide, naturally occurring or artificially produced, provided that the specific activity of the substance is in accordance with the levels as may be prescribedby regulations; (r) "regulations" means regulations made under this Ordinance; and (s) "rules" means rules made under this Ordinance.
Provided that till such time as the Authority is fully constituted, the Chairman shall exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of the Authority.
The Authority shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal, and may sue and be sued in its own name and, subject to and for the purposes of this Ordinance, may enter into contracts and may acquire, purchase, take, holdand enjoy moveable and immovable property of every description and may convey, assign, surrender, yield up, charge, mortgage, demise, reassign, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with, any moveable or immovable property or any interest vested in it.
The head office of the Authority shall be at Islamabad and it may set up offices, at such places as it may deem appropriate.
The common seal of the Authority shall be kept in the custody of the Chairman or such other person as may be prescribed by regulations and documents required or permitted to be executed under the common seal shall be specified andauthenticated in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations.
The Chairman and every member of the Authority shall be a person of ability, integrity and standing having such knowledge and experience as hereinafter specified.
The Chairman shall be a person holding a postgraduate degree in physical or nuclear sciences or in engineering and technology, preferably a Ph.D. or equivalent from an internationally recognized university and have worked for at least twenty-five years in the field of nuclear sciences or nuclear engineering and technology.
Each of the two full-time members shall be a person holding a postgraduate degree in physical or nuclear sciences or be graduate in engineering and technology from an internationally recognized university and have worked for at least twenty years in the relevant field of radiation protection, nuclear safety or reactor safety.
Seven part-time members as follows: - (a) three technical members: (i) two of whom shall be reputable scientists or engineers from internationally recognized universities holding a post- graduate professional degree in nuclear physics or nuclear engineering and technology and have worked at least for fifteen years in the relevant field; and (ii) one medical doctor holding a postgraduate professional degree in nuclear medicine, radiotherapy or radiation sciences and have worked at least for fifteen years in the relevant field; (b) two nominees one each from the Ministry of Health and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency not below the rank of Joint Secretary; (c) one nominee from the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission with the rank or grade equivalent to that of a full-time memberof the Commission; and (d) Director General, Strategic Plans Division, JSHQ.
There shall be a Secretary of the Authority who shall be a non-voting member of the Authority.
No person shall be appointed as the Chairman or a member unless he is a citizen of Pakistan.
The Chairman shall be eligible for reappointment for a period of four years but not for more than two consecutive terms.
Provided that the resignation shall not take effect until it has been accepted by the Federal Government.
The Chairman or any member may be removed from his office, if he:- (a) in the opinion of the Federal Government, fails to discharge, or becomes incapable of discharging, his duties under this Ordinance; (b) has been declared insolvent; (c) has been declared to be disqualified for employment in, or has been dismissed from the service of Pakistan; (d) has been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude; or (e) has knowingly acquired or continued to hold without the permission in writing of the Federal Government, directly or indirectly or through a partner, any share or interest in any contract or employment with, or by on behalf of the Authority, in any land or property which in his knowledge, is likely to benefit has benefited as a result of the operation of the Authority.
Remuneration and allowances of a part-time member shall be such as may be prescribed by regulations.
Provided that until regulations are made in this behalf, such meetings shall be convened by the Chairman.
As and when required, and for the purpose of advice, the Chairman may, in consultation with full-time members, invite a senior level expert or representative of a relevant organization to participate in the meetings of the Authority.
An Advisory Committee constituted under sub-section (1) shall perform such functions as may be prescribed by regulations.
The decision to employ and the terms and conditions of employment under sub-section (1) shall be made by the Authority as it may deem fit.
Ordinance, the Authority shall have the responsibility for controlling, regulating and supervising all matters related to nuclear safety and radiation protection measures in Pakistan.
Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing powers, the following shall be the powers and functions of the Authority, namely: (a) to devise, adopt, make and enforce such rules, regulations, orders or codes of practice for nuclear safety and radiation protection as may, in its opinion, be necessary; (b) to plan, develop and execute comprehensive policies and programmes for the protection of life, health and property against the risk of ionizing radiation; (c) to regulate the radiation safety aspects of : (i) Exploitation of any radioactive ore; (ii) Production, import, export, transport, possession, processing, reprocessing, use, sale, transfer, storage or disposal of a nuclear substance, radioactive material or any other substance as the Authority may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify; (iii) equipment used for production, use or application of nuclear energy for : (a) the generation of electricity; or (b) any other uses; (d) to approve effective reporting procedures with respect to radiation incidents and to ensure that plans for protective action in emergency situation have been prepared; (e) to ensure that corrective actions are undertaken when unsafe or potentially unsafe conditions are detected concerning a nuclear installation, radiation generator, nuclear material, nuclear substance or radioactive material; (f) to ensure that appropriate measures for physical protection of nuclear installations and nuclear materials are taken; (g) to establish the extent of insurance to be carried by a licensee against the risks of nuclear damage to the public; (h) to grant authorization, or issue license for the production,storage, disposal, trade in and use of any nuclear substance, radioactive material or any other substance or equipment used for production or use of nuclear energy as the Authority may by notification in the official Gazette, specify; (i) to inspect all nuclear installations, radiation generators, nuclear materials, nuclear substances or radioactive materials to ensure that regulations concerning safety measures are properly followed; (j) to advise the Federal Government departments or Provincial Government departments, educational and research institutions, public or private industry and other undertakings on questions related to nuclear safety and radiation protection; and (k) to do all other acts and things, such as initiating and coordinating research and development necessary for carrying into effect the provisions of this Ordinance.
In discharging its functions, the Authority shall be bound by such instructions, if any, as may be given to it on any question of policy by the Federal Government which shall be the sole judge as to whether a question is a question of policy.
(a) acquire, design, manufacture, construct, install or operate any device that contains any radioactive material or produce ionizing radiation including consumer products, sealed sources, unsealedsources and radiation generators, including mobile radiography equipment; (b) establish installations and facilities which contain radioactive materials or devices which produce radiation including irradiation facilities, mines and mills processing radioactive ores, installations processing radioactive substances, nuclear installations and radioactive waste management facilities; (c) explore for mines and mill, extract, acquire, handle, use for medical, industrial, veterinary, or agriculture purposes, or for education, training or research, etc., sell, lease, lend, buy, transfer, import, export, convert, enrich, produce, store, process, reprocess, fabricate, transport, dispose of any radioactive ores, radioactive material, nuclear substance or any other substance asthe Authority may, by notification in the official Gazette, specify; and (d) treat food by ionizing radiation.
Subject to sub-section (1), the Authority may, on application made to it accompanied by such fee, information and documents, as may be prescribed by regulations, issue a license for carrying out of such activities as are specified in the license for such period as may be so specified.
The Authority may require an applicant to demonstrate by submitting the required information that the activity for which the license is required would not be hazardous to public or the environment.
The Authority may prescribe terms and conditions that may be attached to a license.
The Authority may require the establishment of effective reporting procedure in respect of radiation accidents and ensure that the plans for mitigating the effects of nuclear incidents have been prepared.
The Authority may specify terms and conditions that may be attached to an authorization.
Before taking any action under sub-section (1), the Authority shall issue a notice to such person to show cause and give him an opportunity of being heard or an opportunity to rectify the omission subject to such conditions as the Authority may specify.
undertake all or any of the following actions in respect of the installation or facility covered under the license, namely: - (a) ask the licensee to put the installation or facility in safe state and shut down the installation or facility; (b) permit the licensee to continue operating the installation or facility under such term and conditions as the Authority may specify; or (c) appoint another person to take over the operation of theinstallation or facility.
Pending action on the application submitted pursuant to subsection (1), the applicant may continue to pursue such activities referred to in sub-section (1), provided that all necessary measures to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance are taken immediately.
(a) any such radioactive material, or nuclear substance specified in the notice as is in his possession or under his control; (b) any plant in his possession or under his control designed or adapted for the production or use of atomic energy, ionizing radiation or radioactive material; (c) any contract entered into by him or any right granted by or to him relating to such production or use as aforesaid; and (d) any other information in his possession relating to any work carried out by him, or on his behalf or under his direction in connection with such production or use.
(a) carry out any tests and investigations; (b) obtain and analyze any samples; (c) examine designs, drawings, records, memoranda, reports or documents pertaining to the use, operation, maintenance or storage of any radiation generator or, as the case may be, nuclear substances or radioactive materials; (d) inspect all measures and records pertaining to environmental and personnel monitoring and disposal of radioactive wastes; (e) obtain any other information required for the safety evaluation of any radiation generator or nuclear installation concerned; and (f) lock and seal any nuclear installation or radiation generator, or any part thereof, where any nuclear substance or radiation generator is being used, stored, operated or maintained in contravention of the provisions of this Ordinance or the rules and regulations made there under.
(a) in his nuclear installation, however, caused such as handling, storage, use, etc.; and (b) involving nuclear material coming from, or originating ororiginally received in, his nuclear installation.
Provided that in no case shall the civil liability of the Federal Government be more than fifteen times the insurance or the financial guarantee required to be carried by an operator of a nuclear installation.
country other than Pakistan, jurisdiction over claims under this Ordinance shall be that of the Courts of competent jurisdiction in Pakistan unless specifically provided otherwise by the terms of a contract in writing.
Where nuclear damage is caused by a nuclear incident involving nuclear material which at the time of the nuclear incident was stolen, lost, jettisoned or abandoned, the period established pursuant to sub-section (1) shall be computed from the date ofthat nuclear incident, but the period shall in no case exceed twenty years from the date of the theft, loss, jettison or abandonment.
The Authority shall ensure, co-ordinate and enforce preparation of emergency plans for action to be taken following foreseeable types of nuclear incidents that might affect the public. Such plans shall include arrangements for reporting and communication, the co-ordination of action between the various public bodies involved,the training of personnel and the provision of necessary facilities and instrumentation.
If the radiation from environmental contamination by radioactive material reaches a level of intensity at which public health may be endangered, the Authority shall at once notify the Federal, Provincial, local and other authorities concerned who shall immediately take, in consultation with the Authority, all necessary protective and safety measures.
The protective and safety measures referred to in sub-sections (1), (2) and
may include restrictions on the movements of persons and objects such as confining people to their homes, isolating people and objects, limiting the transfer of persons and foods, curtailing or prohibiting sales of foodstuffs, farm products and the use of water, evacuating certain zones or forbidding entry thereto, rendering dangerous objects harmless, destroying animals and dispensing of the bodies.
If in the opinion of the Authority it is necessary, the Civil Defence Organization, the police or other law enforcing agencies or the Armed Forces may be called upon to assist in the implementation of the measures specified in sub-section (4).
The Authority may also borrow the services of officers, employees and consultants of other organizations on such terms and conditions as may be mutually settled between the lending organization and the Authority.
The method and procedure of appointment and the terms and conditions of service of officers and employees shall be regulated by rules to be made with the prior approval of the Federal Government under Section 55. Provided that till such time such Rules are made under Section 55, the PAEC Service Regulations as amended from time to time shall, mutatis mutandis regulate appointments of officers and employees and the terms and conditions of their Service.
(a) funds of the Commission related to the Directorate of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection as transferred to the Authority under section 54; (b) grants from the Federal Government; (c) grants from a Provincial Government; (d) income from the grant of authorization and issue of licence; (e) international grants; and (f) receipts from such other sources as may be approved by the Authority.
The Authority shall, in respect of each financial year, submit for the approval of the Federal Government, by such date and in such form as may be prescribed by rules, a statement showing the estimated receipts and expenditures. [(2) Any surplus of receipts over the actual expenditure in a year, after payment of tax, shall be remitted to the Federal Consolidated Fund and any deficit from the actual expenditure shall be made up by the Federal Government.]
The accounts of the Authority shall be audited by the Auditor General of Pakistan. 1 Inserted and re-numbered the amendment vide Finance Act 2012, No.F.22(14)/2012-Legis, Act.No XVII of 2012, dated: 27th June, 2012
Any person who fails to furnish any return required under this Ordinance or the rules and regulations made thereunder, or willfully furnishes any false return or information, or obstructs any officer or other person duly authorized under this Ordinance in the discharge of his duty thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to 0.25 million rupees,or with both.
Any operator licensed under section 19 or any person authorized under sections 20, 21, 22 or 23, who contravenes any of the provisions of any rules or regulations made under this Ordinance, or any term or conditions imposed thereunder, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to 0.5 millions rupees, or with both.
Any person who fails to comply with, or contravenes any provisions, conditions or requirements contained under this Ordinance or the rules and regulations made thereunder, or commits an offence, where no penalty is elsewhere provided, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to 0.1 millions rupees, or with both. [(5) All penalties and fines recovered under this Ordinance and rules made thereunder shall be credited to the Federal Consolidated Fund.]
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898), - (a) no Court inferior to that of a Judicial Magistrate of the first class shall try an offence punishable under this Ordinance; (b) all offences under this Ordinance shall be non-bailable; and (c) it shall be lawful for any Judicial Magistrate of the first class to pass any sentence authorized by this Ordinance.
The Authority, before filing a complaint under sub-section (1), shall give show cause notice and opportunity of being heard to the licensee.
The Authority's determinations on decisions by tribunals set up under sub- section (1) shall be deemed to be decrees of a civil court under the Code of CivilProcedure, 1908 (Act V of 1908). 2 Inserted and re-numbered the amendment vide Finance Act 2012, No.F.22(14)/2012-Legis, Act.No XVII of 2012, dated: 27th June, 2012
(a) all assets, rights, powers, authorities and privileges, and all property, movable and immovable, cash and bank balances, reserve funds, investments and all other interests and rights in, or arising out of, such property and all debts, liabilities and obligations of whatever kind of the PNRB and of the Commissions relating to DNSRP subsisting immediately before its dissolution shall stand transferred to and vest in the Authority; (b) all officers, consultants, advisers, auditors and other employees of the PNRB and of the Commission working in the DNSRP shall have option to remain on the strength of the Commission or to join the Authority, those opting for the Authority shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any law or in any agreement, deed, document or other instrument, stand transferred to the Authority and shall be deemed to have been appointed or engaged by the Authority in accordance with the terms and conditions of service prescribed by regulations, and no officer, consultant, adviser, auditor or other employee whose services are so transferred shall be entitled to any compensation because of such transfer; and (c) all debts and obligations incurred or contracts entered into or rights acquired and all matters and things engaged to be done by, with or for the DNSRP, or with or for the Commission related to DNSRP, before dissolution of DNSRP shall be deemed to have been incurred, entered into, acquired or engaged to be done by, with or for the Authority.
In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide for - (a) charging and collection of fees in connection with its licensing and regulatory functions provided that such fees shall be imposed by regulations on the basis of such published criteria as the Authority deems appropriate, taking into consideration among other criteria, the nature of the activity authorized; and (b) charging of consultation fees and expenses, etc., from the applicant for any services provided, including the expenses of any consultation of experts.
Provided that no such power shall be exercised after the expiry of one year from the commencement of this Ordinance.
All regulations, guides, regulatory requirements, procedures, etc., made under the provisions of the Pakistan Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Ordinance, 1984 (IV of 1984), and in force immediately before the commencement of this Ordinance, shall, mutatis mutandis and in so far as they are not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Ordinance, shall continue in force until repealed or altered by rules or regulations made under this Ordinance. MUHAMMAD RAFIQ TARAR, President - MR. JUSTICE FAQIR MUHAMMAD KHOKHAR, Secretary