[1] The plant, owned by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, has a nominal capacity of producing 13 metric tons (29,000 lb) of heavy water per year.
: 30 [2] Eventually, the PAEC built the plant on its own and secured funding from the Pak Arab Fertilizer– a private sector limited company.
[1] This plant was to be used for energy production using nuclear power in addition to understand more advanced science involving the properties of water.
: 200 [2] The heavy water molecule consists of one oxygen atom and two deuterium atoms– an isotope of hydrogen having an extra neutron in its nucleus.
: 29 [2] The PAEC discussed the plant with Germany, France, and Canada with proposing this facility under regular IAEA inspection– all had ejected from the proposal in 1974.: 200 [2] Eventually, Belgium was a more willing partner that helped Pakistan constructing the plant but this facility cannot produce the heavy water requires to produce the weapon-grade plutonium and it is only used for its original mission envisioned in 1958.: 201–202 [2] The Multan Heavy Water Production Facility is not subject to IAEA inspection but its secure operations and security is professed by the Government of Pakistan through its federal oversight agencies.