Radioactive equipment

This is in response to a letter published in the News Post on July 26, 2012 regarding restrictions on the commercial import of x-ray machines. The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority registers and issues licenses to all the end-users and importers of all the devices emitting ionising radiation including x-ray machines, for which it charges an annual fee in accordance with the regulations. For import of each unit of the machine, the PNRA issues an NoC for which no separate fee is charged. The importers, under the law, are obliged to sell the machines only to the end-users which are registered with the PNRA. They are not responsible for obtaining a license for the end-user of the equipment from the PNRA. In case the end-user is not licensed, the importer has to notify the end-user in advance or at the time of booking of the equipment that they must register with the body before the delivery of the equipment. Registration of end-user with PNRA is the sole responsibility of the end-user itself.
The x-ray machines emit harmful radiations and, if not handled properly, may harm the patients, their comforters, workers and the general public. This process has been implemented to effectively control the unauthorised entry and use of x-ray equipment in the country and to protect our people from undue radiation exposure and these laws are a part of these endeavours.
Zaheer Ayub Baig
Director General (Corporate)
Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Islamabad