Parvez Butt
Encyclopedia
Pervez Butt (born October 4, 1942) is a Pakistani nuclear engineer and the former chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
(PAEC) from 2001 to 2006. A nuclear engineer by profession, Parvez Butt played an important role in the development of the Pakistan's nuclear power
and weapons program
. As chairman of PAEC, Parvez Butt helped establishing the particle accelerator
s, nuclear power plant
s, and started the research program to the field of Nuclear medicines
. Parvez Butt is currently serving as an assistant professor of nuclear engineering at the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
, and also serving as a "Science and Technology" member at the Planning Commission
of Pakistan.
, British State of Punjab
, British India. At age 16, Butt was admitted to University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, with a full engineering scholarship. In 1962, Butt graduated and received his B.S.
in Mechanical engineering
from University of Engineering and Technology. After his graduation, Butt was employed in Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and joined PAEC-Lahore Center, where he did his post-graduate research at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Butt was awarded the PAEC scholarship
in 1964 by the PAEC chairman dr. I. H. Usmani, and fled to Canada on the advice of dr. Ishfaq Ahmad
. He was enrolled in Engineering School of the University of Toronto
, where he completed and received his M.S.
in nuclear engineering from the University of Toronto in 1965.
, he was upgraded to became a Chief Engineer (CE) in 1966. Butt was part of the Pakistani delegation that led to a successful agreement with General Electric
to supply country's first CANDU
type-nuclear reactor
, under the name of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP). Butt was involved in the project's design, installation, operation and maintenance since very beginning of the project. From 1965 to 1970, he worked in the design office of Canadian General Electric, Peterborough, Ontario
. Canada.
In 1971, after the 1971 war
, Butt came back to Pakistan and re-joined PAEC. The PAEC, under Munir Ahmed Khan, began to developed nuclear weapons by the prime minister
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
, Parvez Butt was made part of the nuclear weapons design and manufacture program with the full backing of Munir Ahmad Khan. He was also a part of the PAEC team that was mandated to buy and purchase equipment and machinery from abroad. In 1974, Butt was given a transferred to Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
(PINSTECH), where he was made director-general
of "Nuclear Engineering Division" (NED). NED, along with NPD (Nuclear Physics Division), developed the first nuclear device, codename "HMX-3". In 1974, Parvez Butt was part of the PAEC team that had indigenously designed built the PARR-II Reactor. While the project was led by Munir Ahmad Khan and Hafeez Qureshi
, Butt took part in designing of the reactor. In 1975, Munir Ahmad Khan assigned another project to Parvez Butt. In 1975, Parvez Butt was the head of the team that was responsible for producing the first UF
6. Pervez Butt also played an important role in designing neutron
particle accelerator
at PARR-II. He had worked closely with well-known Pakistani nuclear
scientist dr. Samar Mubarakmand
in establishing of neutron particle accelerator. He worked closely with his mentor and former PAEC chairman, Munir Ahmad Khan
in building of nuclear power plant
s.
To develop indigenous capability, Butt was assigned the responsibility for the establishment of large infrastructure organization, consisting of design and development and testing facilities and large manufacturing workshops. The national industrial training centers for welding (Pakistan Welding Institute) and non-destructive testing (NCNDT), to ensure high quality production, are amongst other organizations established by him.
He also designed the chasma nuclear power plant. He was appointed director of the PAEC, in 1994 and chairman of PAEC in 2001. On July 26, as new Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, established five more nuclear medicine
s centres in the country and train the staff of other health institutions about nuclear medicines and methods.
During his tenure of 5 years as Chairman, he successfully took actions to accelerate the growth in various areas of activities in which PAEC is involved and created many new organizations. These included research organizations in agriculture, establishing more nuclear medical centers, expansion in nuclear power generation, search and mining of uranium
, industrialization, self-reliance, human resource development etc.
s and as chairman PAEC signed the contract for the second unit in 2004.
at Baghalchur
, a former uranium exploration site, which was used in 1978 to 2000. The site was closed in 2000. In an interview with BBC
, Butt has stated: "It is being done in keeping with the international standards for storing nuclear waste". PAEC Chairman was summoned by the Supreme Court of Pakistan
on the nuclear waste issue in which he gave assurance to supreme court of Pakistan that the radioactive and nuclear waste material has been taken care under the international standard.
(IAEA) has mandated Pakistan to extensively use nuclear energy
for civilian purposes in agriculture, industrial, health, education and environment sectors. IAEA had decided to offer substantial funding for 24 research projects, findings of which would be shared with other Asian countries.
Pakistan had become the "highest recipient of IAEA's financial and technical assistance" and that the relevant international agencies and Islamabad's bilateral supporters had been taken into confidence about the application of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Mr. Parvez Butt also said the IAEA had allowed the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission to amply use nuclear energy for improving the performance of agriculture, industrial, health, education and environment sectors.
Butt was very close to then-Prime Minister of Pakistan
, Shaukat Aziz
. Parvez Butt maintained a close association with Prime Minister Aziz until Butt's term to be completed. Parvez Butt submitted a long-term nuclear power plant
project to Prime Minister Aziz, who allowed PAEC to established more both civilian and military purpose nuclear power plants. Butt also assisted Prime Minister Aziz to launch work on the 325-megawatt plant in Chashma, which is the second to be built at the site with Chinese help.
On December 28, 2005, Prime Minister Aziz inaugurated Chasma nuclear power plant, where both Chinese and Pakistani nuclear scientists attended. In an inauguration, Aziz said "a milestone" in the history of nuclear technology
in Pakistan.
, Justice (r). Muhammad Rafiq Tarar
. Pervez Butt has been an active member of the Board of Government of World Association of Nuclear Operators
(WANO), World Nuclear Association
(WNA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA). He was elected the Vice Chair of the IAEA Board of Government in 2005. Butt retired from the PAEC in 2006.
Pervez Butt was a distinguished associate and team member of late Pakistani nuclear engineer Munir Ahmad Khan
and also worked under Dr. I. H. Usmani and Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad
. Like his mentors, he kept a lower profile. That is why he is also considered as the "Unsung Hero of Nuclear Pakistan".
On July 4, 2006, Parvez Butt retired from PAEC as a Chief Scientist. Dr. Anwar Ali
, a known nuclear physicist and his fellow nuclear engineer, took over as Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission in a simple ceremony held at PAEC headquarters. He was later transferred to Ministry of Science and Technology
where he was elevated as the Science and Technology secretary. He is also serving as a member of Higher Education Commission
.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, , is an administrative governmental and autonomous science and technology governmental department of Pakistan, responsible for development of nuclear energy and development of nuclear power sector in Pakistan...
(PAEC) from 2001 to 2006. A nuclear engineer by profession, Parvez Butt played an important role in the development of the Pakistan's nuclear power
Nuclear power in Pakistan
As of 2009, nuclear power in Pakistan is provided by 3 licensed-commercial nuclear power plants. Pakistan is the first Muslim country in the world to construct and operate civil nuclear power plants. The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission , the scientific and nuclear governmental agency, is solely...
and weapons program
Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction
Pakistan began focusing on nuclear weapons development in January 1972 under the leadership of Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who delegated the program to the Chairman of PAEC Munir Ahmad Khan...
. As chairman of PAEC, Parvez Butt helped establishing the particle accelerator
Particle accelerator
A particle accelerator is a device that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and to contain them in well-defined beams. An ordinary CRT television set is a simple form of accelerator. There are two basic types: electrostatic and oscillating field accelerators.In...
s, nuclear power plant
Nuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station in which the heat source is one or more nuclear reactors. As in a conventional thermal power station the heat is used to generate steam which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator which produces electricity.Nuclear power plants are usually...
s, and started the research program to the field of Nuclear medicines
Nuclear medicine in Pakistan
Nuclear Medicine is one of the flourishing field in Pakistan. The history of pursuing nuclear medicine goes back to 1956, when the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission was established under the executive order of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy...
. Parvez Butt is currently serving as an assistant professor of nuclear engineering at the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences
The Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences , formerly known as the Center for Nuclear Studies , is a public and co-educational research university located in the Islamabad Capital Territory, near the remote town of Nilore. It was established by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission...
, and also serving as a "Science and Technology" member at the Planning Commission
Planning Commission (Pakistan)
The Planning Commission of Pakistan, commonly known as Planning Commission, is a Pakistan Government's executive and federal departmental institution in charge of managing the economy of the country in tandem with the Ministry of Finance. Its main function is to prepare five-year plans of economic...
of Pakistan.
Education
Born in GujranwalaGujranwala
Gujranwala is a industrial city in the north-east of the Punjab province. It is the sixth largest city in Pakistan with a population of approximately 2,661,360 as on 24 June 2011...
, British State of Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
, British India. At age 16, Butt was admitted to University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, with a full engineering scholarship. In 1962, Butt graduated and received his B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from University of Engineering and Technology. After his graduation, Butt was employed in Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), and joined PAEC-Lahore Center, where he did his post-graduate research at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. Butt was awarded the PAEC scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
in 1964 by the PAEC chairman dr. I. H. Usmani, and fled to Canada on the advice of dr. Ishfaq Ahmad
Ishfaq Ahmad
Ishfaq Ahmad , D.Sc., Minister of State, SI, HI, NI, FPAS, is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, and well-known educationist and academic from Pakistan...
. He was enrolled in Engineering School of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, where he completed and received his M.S.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in nuclear engineering from the University of Toronto in 1965.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
Pervez Butt joined the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission in 1963 as "Principle Engineer" (PE), and following his master's degreeMaster's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
, he was upgraded to became a Chief Engineer (CE) in 1966. Butt was part of the Pakistani delegation that led to a successful agreement with General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
to supply country's first CANDU
CANDU reactor
The CANDU reactor is a Canadian-invented, pressurized heavy water reactor. The acronym refers to its deuterium-oxide moderator and its use of uranium fuel...
type-nuclear reactor
Nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device to initiate and control a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Most commonly they are used for generating electricity and for the propulsion of ships. Usually heat from nuclear fission is passed to a working fluid , which runs through turbines that power either ship's...
, under the name of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP). Butt was involved in the project's design, installation, operation and maintenance since very beginning of the project. From 1965 to 1970, he worked in the design office of Canadian General Electric, Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough is a city on the Otonabee River in southern Ontario, Canada, 125 kilometres northeast of Toronto. The population of the City of Peterborough was 74,898 as of the 2006 census, while the census metropolitan area has a population of 121,428 as of a 2009 estimate. It presently ranks...
. Canada.
In 1971, after the 1971 war
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
, Butt came back to Pakistan and re-joined PAEC. The PAEC, under Munir Ahmed Khan, began to developed nuclear weapons by the prime minister
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
, Parvez Butt was made part of the nuclear weapons design and manufacture program with the full backing of Munir Ahmad Khan. He was also a part of the PAEC team that was mandated to buy and purchase equipment and machinery from abroad. In 1974, Butt was given a transferred to Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology
The Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, or commonly known as "PINSTECH", is a multi-program science and technology national research institute managed by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission. The PINSTECH offers a post-graduate and post-doctoral research in the field of nuclear...
(PINSTECH), where he was made director-general
Director-general
The term director-general is a title given the highest executive officer within a governmental, statutory, NGO, third sector or not-for-profit institution.-European Union:...
of "Nuclear Engineering Division" (NED). NED, along with NPD (Nuclear Physics Division), developed the first nuclear device, codename "HMX-3". In 1974, Parvez Butt was part of the PAEC team that had indigenously designed built the PARR-II Reactor. While the project was led by Munir Ahmad Khan and Hafeez Qureshi
Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi
Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi , Neuclear Physics. SI, HI, , also known as Hafeez Qureshi, was a Pakistani Nuclear Scientist...
, Butt took part in designing of the reactor. In 1975, Munir Ahmad Khan assigned another project to Parvez Butt. In 1975, Parvez Butt was the head of the team that was responsible for producing the first UF
Uranium hexafluoride
Uranium hexafluoride , referred to as "hex" in the nuclear industry, is a compound used in the uranium enrichment process that produces fuel for nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. It forms solid grey crystals at standard temperature and pressure , is highly toxic, reacts violently with water...
6. Pervez Butt also played an important role in designing neutron
Neutron
The neutron is a subatomic hadron particle which has the symbol or , no net electric charge and a mass slightly larger than that of a proton. With the exception of hydrogen, nuclei of atoms consist of protons and neutrons, which are therefore collectively referred to as nucleons. The number of...
particle accelerator
Particle accelerator
A particle accelerator is a device that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to high speeds and to contain them in well-defined beams. An ordinary CRT television set is a simple form of accelerator. There are two basic types: electrostatic and oscillating field accelerators.In...
at PARR-II. He had worked closely with well-known Pakistani nuclear
Nuclear physics
Nuclear physics is the field of physics that studies the building blocks and interactions of atomic nuclei. The most commonly known applications of nuclear physics are nuclear power generation and nuclear weapons technology, but the research has provided application in many fields, including those...
scientist dr. Samar Mubarakmand
Samar Mubarakmand
Samar Mubarakmand , , is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, who served as the founding chairman of National Engineering and Scientific Commission from 2001 till 2007. Samar Mubarak-Mand launched the Missile Integration Programme in 1987 which was successfully completed in 2005...
in establishing of neutron particle accelerator. He worked closely with his mentor and former PAEC chairman, Munir Ahmad Khan
Munir Ahmad Khan
Munir Ahmad Khan , HI, was a Pakistani nuclear engineer and a scientist who served as the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from 1972 to 1991...
in building of nuclear power plant
Nuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station in which the heat source is one or more nuclear reactors. As in a conventional thermal power station the heat is used to generate steam which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator which produces electricity.Nuclear power plants are usually...
s.
To develop indigenous capability, Butt was assigned the responsibility for the establishment of large infrastructure organization, consisting of design and development and testing facilities and large manufacturing workshops. The national industrial training centers for welding (Pakistan Welding Institute) and non-destructive testing (NCNDT), to ensure high quality production, are amongst other organizations established by him.
He also designed the chasma nuclear power plant. He was appointed director of the PAEC, in 1994 and chairman of PAEC in 2001. On July 26, as new Chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, established five more nuclear medicine
Nuclear medicine
In nuclear medicine procedures, elemental radionuclides are combined with other elements to form chemical compounds, or else combined with existing pharmaceutical compounds, to form radiopharmaceuticals. These radiopharmaceuticals, once administered to the patient, can localize to specific organs...
s centres in the country and train the staff of other health institutions about nuclear medicines and methods.
During his tenure of 5 years as Chairman, he successfully took actions to accelerate the growth in various areas of activities in which PAEC is involved and created many new organizations. These included research organizations in agriculture, establishing more nuclear medical centers, expansion in nuclear power generation, search and mining of uranium
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
, industrialization, self-reliance, human resource development etc.
Nuclear energy program
Butt was actively involved in Pakistan's civilian nuclear program. He, along with other Pakistani nuclear scientists, visited People's Republic of China in 1986 to led an Civilian Nuclear Technology agreement between Pakistan and People's Republic of China. He was actively involved in the technical and contractual negotiations for the Chinese nuclear power plantNuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station in which the heat source is one or more nuclear reactors. As in a conventional thermal power station the heat is used to generate steam which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator which produces electricity.Nuclear power plants are usually...
s and as chairman PAEC signed the contract for the second unit in 2004.
Nuclear Hazard Issue
Parvez Butt as PAEC Chairman faced a important environmental issueEnvironmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
at Baghalchur
Baghalchur
Baghalchur or Baghalchar is small town in Dera Ghazi Khan District, Punjab, Pakistan. Baghalchur is the site of abandoned Uranium mines now being used as a nuclear dump. The resident of the area are bitterly opposed to the nuclear dump being used by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission ....
, a former uranium exploration site, which was used in 1978 to 2000. The site was closed in 2000. In an interview with BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, Butt has stated: "It is being done in keeping with the international standards for storing nuclear waste". PAEC Chairman was summoned by the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan
The Supreme Court is the apex court in Pakistan's judicial hierarchy, the final arbiter of legal and constitutional disputes. The Supreme Court has a permanent seat in Islamabad. It has number of Branch Registries where cases are heard. It has a number of de jure powers which are outlined in the...
on the nuclear waste issue in which he gave assurance to supreme court of Pakistan that the radioactive and nuclear waste material has been taken care under the international standard.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Pervez Butt headed PAEC at IAEA meeting where he, as a chairman of PAEC, signed a contract with IAEA. On September 3, 2004, International Atomic Energy AgencyInternational Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
(IAEA) has mandated Pakistan to extensively use nuclear energy
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
for civilian purposes in agriculture, industrial, health, education and environment sectors. IAEA had decided to offer substantial funding for 24 research projects, findings of which would be shared with other Asian countries.
Pakistan had become the "highest recipient of IAEA's financial and technical assistance" and that the relevant international agencies and Islamabad's bilateral supporters had been taken into confidence about the application of nuclear energy for civilian purposes. Mr. Parvez Butt also said the IAEA had allowed the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission to amply use nuclear energy for improving the performance of agriculture, industrial, health, education and environment sectors.
Butt was very close to then-Prime Minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
, Shaukat Aziz
Shaukat Aziz
Shaukat Aziz is a world acclaimed Pakistani economist who was the 15th Prime Minister of Pakistan from May 20, 2004 to 15 November 2007 in a joint military government led by General Pervez Musharraf. A Citibank executive, Aziz returned to Pakistan from the United States to be became Finance...
. Parvez Butt maintained a close association with Prime Minister Aziz until Butt's term to be completed. Parvez Butt submitted a long-term nuclear power plant
Nuclear power plant
A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station in which the heat source is one or more nuclear reactors. As in a conventional thermal power station the heat is used to generate steam which drives a steam turbine connected to a generator which produces electricity.Nuclear power plants are usually...
project to Prime Minister Aziz, who allowed PAEC to established more both civilian and military purpose nuclear power plants. Butt also assisted Prime Minister Aziz to launch work on the 325-megawatt plant in Chashma, which is the second to be built at the site with Chinese help.
On December 28, 2005, Prime Minister Aziz inaugurated Chasma nuclear power plant, where both Chinese and Pakistani nuclear scientists attended. In an inauguration, Aziz said "a milestone" in the history of nuclear technology
Nuclear technology
Nuclear technology is technology that involves the reactions of atomic nuclei. Among the notable nuclear technologies are nuclear power, nuclear medicine, and nuclear weapons...
in Pakistan.
Fame and legacy
He has been awarded Pakistan's highest civil awards Hilal-e-Imtiaz and Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 1999 from the President of PakistanPresident of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
, Justice (r). Muhammad Rafiq Tarar
Muhammad Rafiq Tarar
Judge Muhammad Rafiq Tarar was the ninth President of Pakistan from January 1, 1998 until June 20, 2001 and before that Supreme Court of Pakistan judge and Chief Justice of Lahore High Court....
. Pervez Butt has been an active member of the Board of Government of World Association of Nuclear Operators
World Association of Nuclear Operators
The World Association of Nuclear Operators is an international organisation founded in 1989 after the Chernobyl accident to foster international cooperation and professional excellence within the nuclear industry...
(WANO), World Nuclear Association
World Nuclear Association
The World Nuclear Association , formerly the Uranium Institute, is an international organization that promotes nuclear power and supports the many companies that comprise the global nuclear industry...
(WNA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency
International Atomic Energy Agency
The International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
(IAEA). He was elected the Vice Chair of the IAEA Board of Government in 2005. Butt retired from the PAEC in 2006.
Pervez Butt was a distinguished associate and team member of late Pakistani nuclear engineer Munir Ahmad Khan
Munir Ahmad Khan
Munir Ahmad Khan , HI, was a Pakistani nuclear engineer and a scientist who served as the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from 1972 to 1991...
and also worked under Dr. I. H. Usmani and Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad
Ishfaq Ahmad
Ishfaq Ahmad , D.Sc., Minister of State, SI, HI, NI, FPAS, is a Pakistani nuclear physicist, and well-known educationist and academic from Pakistan...
. Like his mentors, he kept a lower profile. That is why he is also considered as the "Unsung Hero of Nuclear Pakistan".
On July 4, 2006, Parvez Butt retired from PAEC as a Chief Scientist. Dr. Anwar Ali
Anwar Ali (scientist)
Anwar Ali, born: 1945 in Lahore, British Punjab State, British Indian Empire, , is a Pakistani nuclear physicist who served as the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from 2006 till 2009...
, a known nuclear physicist and his fellow nuclear engineer, took over as Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission in a simple ceremony held at PAEC headquarters. He was later transferred to Ministry of Science and Technology
Ministry of Science and Technology (Pakistan)
The Ministry of Science and Technology , is a Cabinet-level ministry of government of Pakistan concerned with science and technology in Pakistan and in general, Pakistan's science policies, planning, coordination and directing of efforts to initiate and launch scientific and technological programs...
where he was elevated as the Science and Technology secretary. He is also serving as a member of Higher Education Commission
Higher Education Commission
The Higher Education Commission , formerly the University Grant Commission, is the primary regulator of higher education in Pakistan. It also facilitated the development of higher educational system in Pakistan. Its main purpose was to upgrade universities in Pakistan to be centres of education,...
.
Research paper
- Status and Potential of Small and Medium Power Reactors in Pakistan by Parvez Butt and Muhammad Ahmad. (Paper presented at Advisory Group Meeting on Status and Introduction of Small and Medium Power Reactors in Developing Countries, Tunis, 3–6 September 1996).
Awards and honors
- Hilal-e-Imtiaz (1999)
- Sitara-e-Imtiaz (1999)
- Tamgha-e-Baqa (2000)
Associations
- Member of the World Association of Nuclear OperatorsWorld Association of Nuclear OperatorsThe World Association of Nuclear Operators is an international organisation founded in 1989 after the Chernobyl accident to foster international cooperation and professional excellence within the nuclear industry...
(WANO) - Member of World Nuclear AssociationWorld Nuclear AssociationThe World Nuclear Association , formerly the Uranium Institute, is an international organization that promotes nuclear power and supports the many companies that comprise the global nuclear industry...
(WNA) - Vice Chair of the International Atomic Energy AgencyInternational Atomic Energy AgencyThe International Atomic Energy Agency is an international organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. The IAEA was established as an autonomous organization on 29 July 1957...
(IAEA) (2005) - An elected fellow of Pakistan Nuclear Society (1995)