The establishment of the first nuclear power plant in 1972, called the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP), constituted a major step forward in utilizing nuclear energy for power production. This had to be backed up by the establishment of supporting facilities for nuclear fuel cycle to keep the plant supplied with indigenous nuclear fuel.
The various steps in the nuclear fuel cycle are uranium prospecting, mining, refining, enrichment, fuel fabrication, spent fuel reprocessing for recovery of plutonium and radioactive waste disposal. Experience with KANUPP has shown the crucial importance of developing indigenous capability through research and development in various aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle.
The Government has also approved the construction of a 900 MW nuclear power plant at Chashma for which negotiation with international suppliers are in progress.