KARACHI: The Finance Division has approved the creation of six new posts for the National Nuclear Detection Architecture (NNDA), a unit under the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) that is responsible for detecting and preventing the smuggling of nuclear and radiological materials.
According to a notification issued by the FBR on Tuesday, the Finance Division has agreed to create one post of Director General (BPS-21) and five posts of Director (BPS-20) for the NNDA, subject to fulfilment of all codal formalities and meeting the expenditure from within the budget allocated for the fiscal year 2023-24.
The notification said that the creation of these posts was necessary to strengthen the capacity and performance of the NNDA, which was established in 2019 with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
The NNDA is mandated to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated system for detecting, identifying, reporting, and responding to any unauthorized movement or illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological materials across Pakistan’s borders and within its territory.
The NNDA works in coordination with other relevant agencies, such as the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and the law enforcement agencies.
The notification said that the creation of these posts would enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the NNDA and enable it to fulfil its national and international obligations in ensuring nuclear security and preventing nuclear terrorism.
With this, the cadre strength of Pakistan Customs Service (PCS) in BS-17 and above under the administrative control of FBR has increased to 603. The PCS is one of the main components of the FBR that is responsible for collecting customs duties and taxes, enforcing trade regulations, facilitating legitimate trade, and combating smuggling and illicit trade.