Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)

Pakistan’s development of solid-fueled ballistic missiles began at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). [4] Benefiting from substantial Chinese assistance, the PAEC historically competed with the North Korea-assisted liquid-fuel missile programs at the Khan Research Laboratories (KRL). [5] The 1999-2001 command-and-control reforms consolidated the bulk of nuclear weaponization activities, including missile development, under the National Defence Complex (NDC). [6]

The PAEC, however, remains credited with overseeing and administering the transfer of solid-fuel ballistic missile technology, the procurement of solid-fuel M11 missiles from China, and the development of indigenous production capabilities for the similarly designed Ghauri-series missiles. [7] This included the 1995 construction of a missile production facility in Fatehjung, the Tarwanah suburb of Rawalpindi. [8] At the time, U.S. intelligence agencies noted that the Tarwanah factory was likely built “using blueprints and equipment supplied by China.” [9] The Tarwanah facility bears a strong physical resemblance to the M11 production facility in Hubei. Engineers from the China Precision Machinery Import/Export Corporation were sighted at the plant on several occasions, and numerous shipments of Chinese components were sent to the plant. [10]

The PAEC now focuses on civilian research, and hosts a wide range of such programs ranging from nuclear medicine to biotechnology. [11] The PAEC also actively collaborates with the European Organization for Nuclear Research on fundamental particle physics research, providing both human capital and financial contributions. [12]

Following Pakistan’s 1998 nuclear tests, the Clinton Administration sanctioned the PAEC and roughly 20 of its subsidiaries under the Arms Export Control Act for involvement in “nuclear or missile activities.” [13] President George W. Bush waived these sanctions in 2001 to facilitate post-September 11 cooperation with Pakistan. [14]

Sources:
[1] “Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission,” Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, accessed 2 February 2011, www.paec.gov.pk.
[2] Nuclear Black Markets: Pakistan, A.Q. Khan and the Rise of Proliferation Networks – A Net Assessment, (London: The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2007), p. 111.
[3] “Composition – Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission,” Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, accessed 2 February 2011, www.paec.gov.pk.
[4] Joseph Cirincione, Jon B. Wolfsthal and Miriam Rajkumar, Deadly Arsenals: Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction, (Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2003), p. 81.
[5] Gordon Jacobs and Tim McCarthy, “China’s Missile Sales – Few Changes For The Future,” Jane’s Intelligence Review, December 1992, p. 560; Nuclear Black Markets: Pakistan, A.Q. Khan and the Rise of Proliferation Networks – A Net Assessment, (London: The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2007), p. 22.
[6] Nuclear Black Markets: Pakistan, A.Q. Khan and the Rise of Proliferation Networks, (London: The International Institute for Strategic Studies, 2007), p. 110.
[7] Joseph Cirincione, Jon B. Wolfsthal, and Miriam Rajkumar, Deadly Arsenals: Tracking Weapons of Mass Destruction, (Washington, DC: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, 2003), p. 214.
[8] “Pakistan Defence Industries,” Defence Export Promotion Organization, accessed 26 January 2011, www.depo.org.pk.
[9] R. Jeffrey Smith, "China Linked To Pakistani Missile Plant; Secret Project Could Renew Sanctions Issue," Washington Post, 25 August 1996, p. A01; in LexisNexis Academic Universe, www.lexisnexis.com.
[10] Douglas Waller, "The Secret Missile Deal," Time, 30 June 1997, www.time.com.
[11] Paul Guinnessy, “Pakistan Reshuffles Weapons Program,” Physics Today, May 2001, p. 28; “Functions – Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission,” Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, accessed 2 February 2011, www.paec.gov.pk.
[12] “Pakistani, European atomic energy bodies mark 10 years of cooperation,” PTV World, 15 December 2004 in LexisNexis Academic Universe, www.lexisnexis.com.
[13] “India and Pakistan Sanctions and Other Measures,” 63 Federal Register 223 (19 November 1998), pp. 64322-64342.
[14] “Presidential Determination No. 2001-28 of September 22, 2001: Waiver of Nuclear-Related Sanctions on India and Pakistan, Memorandum for the Secretary of State,” 66 Federal Register 191 (2 October 2001), p. 50095; “India and Pakistan: Lifting of Sanctions, Removal of Indian and Pakistani Entities, and Revision in License Review Policy,” 66 Federal Register 190 (1 October 2001), p. 50090; Dianne E. Rennack, India and Pakistan: U.S. Economic Sanctions, CRS Report to Congress RS20995 (Washington, DC: The Library of Congress, 3 February 2003).