Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2001

This Ordinance creates the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) as the country's national watchdog for nuclear safety and radiation protection, replacing the earlier Pakistan Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Ordinance, 1984, which Section 60 repeals. Section 3 sets up PNRA as a body corporate headquartered in Islamabad, to be established within thirty days of the Ordinance taking effect. Section 4 fixes its composition (a Chairman, up to two full-time members, and seven part-time members) and requires the Chairman and full-time members to hold advanced postgraduate qualifications in nuclear or physical sciences plus decades of relevant experience.

PNRA's core job is licensing and oversight: Section 16 lists its functions and powers, Section 19 lets it issue licences to operate nuclear installations, and Sections 20-23 cover authorizations needed before licensing, before discharging radioactive waste, or for vehicles/vessels/aircraft carrying nuclear material. Sections 24-25 let PNRA cancel or suspend a licence or authorization and dictate what happens afterward. Sections 28-29 give it powers to demand information and to enter and inspect facilities.

A significant part of the Ordinance (Sections 30-37) sets up a civil liability regime for nuclear accidents: it fixes the extent of civil liability for nuclear damage, makes the licensed operator absolutely and exclusively liable, requires operators to carry insurance or another financial guarantee, has the Federal Government indemnify certain losses, and sets limitation periods for claims, including against foreign operators.

Offences under the Ordinance are dealt with in Sections 44-46 (offences, cognizance of offences, and special tribunals), and Section 47 covers recovery of amounts due. PNRA can make rules (Section 55) and regulations (Section 56), including regulations to charge licensing and consultation fees. Section 54 transfers the assets, staff, and liabilities of the former Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Board (PNRB) and the Directorate of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (DNSRP) to the new Authority.

Because this is a fairly recent Ordinance and the extract does not show a long chain of amendments, its core structure appears current, but readers should still verify licensing fees, liability limits, or tribunal procedures against the official text before relying on them.