Parvez Butt (

Urdu Urdu (;"Urdu"
''

mechanical engineer Mechanical may refer to: Machine * Machine (mechanical), a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement * Mechanical calculator, a device used to perform the basic operations of ...

and public official who served as the chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission from 2001 till 2006. His career is mostly spent at the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission's nuclear power division before chairing the agency, and went to serve in the Musharraf administration as a policy adviser on science as a

Federal Secretary The federal secretary (also referred to as the secretary to the Government of Pakistan) is the highest-ranking position in the Government of Pakistan, occupied by the most senior civil servant in a specific ministry or division. The secretary is ...

from 2006 until 2008. He continued his public service when he joined the Gilani administration as a policy adviser on nuclear energy at the Planning Commission which he served until 2013.

Biography

Parvez Butt was born in

Gujranwala Gujranwala ( ur, , label=none; ) is a city and capital of Gujranwala Division located in Pakistan. It is also known as "City of Wrestlers" and is quite famous for its food. It is the 5th most populous city proper after Karachi, Lahore, Faisala ...

Punjab Punjab (; Punjabi: پنجاب ; ਪੰਜਾਬ ; ; also romanised as ''Panjāb'' or ''Panj-Āb'') is a geopolitical, cultural, and historical region in South Asia, specifically in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent, comprising ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

on 4 October 1942 where he did his schooling and matriculation. He attended the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in

Lahore Lahore ( ; pnb, ; ur, ) is the second most populous city in Pakistan after Karachi and 26th most populous city in the world, with a population of over 13 million. It is the capital of the province of Punjab where it is the largest city. ...

where he graduated with

Bachelor of Science A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University of ...

(BS) in

mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and movement. It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science, to design, analyze, manufacture, and ...

in 1962, and went to attend the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution ...

in Canada to pursue higher studies in engineering in 1963. In 1965, Butt graduated with

Master of Science A Master of Science ( la, Magisterii Scientiae; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree. In contrast to ...

(MS) in

nuclear engineering Nuclear engineering is the branch of engineering concerned with the application of breaking down atomic nuclei ( fission) or of combining atomic nuclei (fusion), or with the application of other sub-atomic processes based on the principles of n ...

from the University of Toronto.

Career at Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission

In 1963, Butt found employment with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) where his career is spent in nuclear power division rather than weapons production; he was involved in design phase of his country's first commercial nuclear power in Karachi–the

CANDU The CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) is a Canadian pressurized heavy-water reactor design used to generate electric power. The acronym refers to its deuterium oxide ( heavy water) moderator and its use of (originally, natural) uranium fuel. C ...

-type KANUPP-I reactor. From 1965 to 1970, Butt worked in the design engineering at the

GE Canada General Electric Company (GE) is an American multinational conglomerate founded in 1892, and incorporated in New York state and headquartered in Boston. The company operated in sectors including healthcare, aviation, power, renewable energy ...

at their office in

Peterborough Peterborough () is a cathedral city in Cambridgeshire, east of England. It is the largest part of the City of Peterborough unitary authority district (which covers a larger area than Peterborough itself). It was part of Northamptonshire until ...

, Ontario, where he was involved in overall design of the nuclear power plant. From 1972 to 1976, Butt worked as principal engineer at the ''KANUPP-I'' to ensure the commercial power generation and grid operations of the nuclear power plant to supply energy to Karachi. When the GE Canada decided to eject from supporting the KANUPP program, Butt was instrumental in setting up the machine shop to engage in designing, manufacturing, and production of the mechanical spare parts needed for plant machinery. He built up his reputation among his peers as a reputable machinist and design component engineer whose role was instrumental in setting up the mechanical workshop, machine tools manufacturing shop, and a welding facility that supported the plant operations as part of his responsibility to develop indigenous capability to ensure the grid operations of the nuclear power plant. During his employment at the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant, Butt realized the importance of the

welding Welding is a fabrication (metal), fabrication process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by using high heat to melt the parts together and allowing them to cool, causing Fusion welding, fusion. Welding is distinct from lower ...

and nondestructive testing when he co-founded the

Pakistan Welding Institute Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

in Islamabad and the Nondestructive testing facility in Taxila. Butt, eventually moved towards practicing mechanical engineering, when he became involved in setting up the standards for welding and machining of the fasteners and other design component parts when he was appointed director at the Atomic Energy Commission in 1984. In 1994, Butt left his plant manager position when he accepted the position as "Member Power" at the corporate offices of the PAEC to advise the Chairman of the PAEC on nuclear power and commercial energy. Butt's experience in machine design components and welding was instrumental that benefited his country to expand the nuclear power generation with the

Chashma Nuclear Power Plant The Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (or CHASNUPP), is a large commercial nuclear power plant located in the vicinities of Chashma colony and Kundian in Punjab in Pakistan. Officially known as Chashma Nuclear Power Complex, the nuclear power plan ...

in Punjab. As Director-General of Nuclear Power Division at the PAEC, and later its Member of Power, Butt oversaw the design phase and construction of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant built with the financing provided by the China.

Chairman of the PAEC

In 2001, the Musharraf administration announced to appoint Butt as the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission— this appointment was significant in international media due to the fact that Butt was not involved in weapons production. In 2003–04, he helped negotiate with China over the financial funding of three more commercial nuclear power plants in Chashma district. In 2006, Butt responded to the lawsuit filed at the

Supreme Court of Pakistan The Supreme Court of Pakistan ( ur, ; ''Adālat-e-Uzma Pākistān'') is the apex court in the judicial hierarchy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Established in accordance to thePart VIIof the Constitution of Pakistan, it has ultimate a ...

by the local residents of Baghalchur, a former uranium exploration mining site and testified at the Supreme Court when he stated: "''It is being done in keeping with the international standards for storing nuclear waste''". His role in nuclear power generation in his country was crucial when Butt signed a contract with

International Atomic Energy Agency The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established in 1957 ...

(IAEA) on 3 September 2004,that mandated Pakistan government to extensively use

nuclear energy Nuclear energy may refer to: *Nuclear power, the use of sustained nuclear fission or nuclear fusion to generate heat and electricity * Nuclear binding energy, the energy needed to fuse or split a nucleus of an atom *Nuclear potential energy ...

for civilian purposes in agriculture, industrial, health, education and environment sectors. With this agreement, 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. In 2006, Parvez Butt submitted a long-term

nuclear power plant A nuclear power plant (NPP) is a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor. As is typical of thermal power stations, heat is used to generate steam that drives a steam turbine connected to a electric generator, generato ...

project to the federal government, which called for established more civilian nuclear power plants to increase the industrial output of the country. On 26 March 2006, Butt seek the retirement from the chairmanship of the PAEC and accepted the position as a science adviser (local:

), to the Musharraf administration.

Government work and public advocacy

On 4 July 2006, Butt sought retirement from the chairmanship of the PAEC when he rotated the chair of the PAEC to Anwar Ali, a computational physicist. He joined the federal government as a science adviser (local position:

) and served in the Musharraf administration until 2008. Butt was later taken as a policy adviser on nuclear energy by the Gilani administration which he served till 2013. Throughout his career, Butt was honored with his nation's award including: **

Nishan-e-Imtiaz The Nishan-e-Imtiaz (; ) is one of the state organized Civil decorations of Pakistan, civil decorations of Pakistan. It is awarded for achievements towards world recognition for Pakistan or outstanding service for the country. However, the awa ...

(2015) **

Hilal-e-Imtiaz The ''Hilaal-e-Imtiaz'' (; ), also spelled and transliterated as Hilāl-e-Imtiyāz, is the second-highest (in the hierarchy of "Hilal") Awards and decorations of the Pakistan military, civilian award and honour given to both civilians and milit ...

(1999) **

Sitara-e-Imtiaz The Sitara-e-Imtiaz () also spelled as Sitara-i-Imtiaz, is the third-highest (in the order of "Imtiaz") honour and Civil decorations of Pakistan, civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes individuals who have made an "especially m ...

(1993) Pervez Butt has been an active member of the Board of Government of

World Association of Nuclear Operators The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) is a not for profit, International organization, international organisation with a mission to maximize the safety and reliability of the world’s commercial nuclear power plants. The organization� ...

(WANO),

World Nuclear Association World Nuclear Association is the international organization that promotes nuclear power and supports the companies that comprise the global nuclear industry. Its members come from all parts of the nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium mining, ur ...

(WNA) and the

(IAEA). He was elected the Vice Chair of the

IAEA The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. It was established in 1957 ...

Board of Governors in 2005.

Research paper

*Status and Potential of Small and Medium Power Reactors in Pakistan.

Awards and honours

Hilal-i-Imtiaz The ''Hilaal-e-Imtiaz'' (; ), also spelled and transliterated as Hilāl-e-Imtiyāz, is the second-highest (in the hierarchy of "Hilal") civilian award and honour given to both civilians and military officers of the Pakistan Armed Forces by the ...

(1999) *

Sitara-i-Imtiaz The Sitara-e-Imtiaz () also spelled as Sitara-i-Imtiaz, is the third-highest (in the order of "Imtiaz") honour and civilian award in the State of Pakistan. It recognizes individuals who have made an "especially meritorious contribution to the ...

(1999) * Tamgha-e-Baqa (2000) *

(2016)

Associations

* Member of the

(WANO) * Member of

(WNA) * Vice Chair of the

(IAEA) (2005) * An elected fellow of Pakistan Nuclear Society (1995)

Notes

References

Parvez Butt
* https://web.archive.org/web/20110718005705/http://www.pakissan.com/english/news/newsDetail.php?newsid=6791 * http://www.pr-inside.com/the-state-of-pakistan-s-competitiveness-report-r128628.htm * http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13522849_ITM * https://web.archive.org/web/20101009051507/http://www.competitiveness.org.pk/BoD/pervezbutt.pdf * https://web.archive.org/web/20090411215521/http://hec.gov.pk/insidehec/parvez_butt.html {{DEFAULTSORT:Butt, Parvez Living people 1942 births People from Gujranwala University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore alumni 20th-century Pakistani engineers Pakistani mechanical engineers Pakistani expatriates in Canada University of Toronto alumni Pakistani nuclear engineers Pakistani inventors Pakistani nuclear physicists International Atomic Energy Agency officials Chairpersons of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Recipients of Sitara-i-Imtiaz Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz Recipients of Nishan-e-Imtiaz