Friday, April 8, 2005
Pak to build more nuclear power plants
Press Trust of India
Islamabad, April 8, 2005|22:55 IST
Launching the construction work for the second unit of Chashma nuclear power plant with Chinese assistance, Pakistan on Friday said similar projects would be taken up in future to meet increasing power needs.
"Pakistan has abundant expertise and manpower in the field of nuclear energy and more nuclear plants would be built," Prime Minister's advisor for strategic programmes, Ishfaquue Ahmed, said.
"Pakistan has now more dependable workforce and friends and our nuclear power programme is poised for expansion in order to meet the higher needs of economic development," he said addressing the ground-breaking ceremony of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 in Punjab province.
An understanding to assist Pakistan to construct the second project at Chashma was reached during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to the country.
China earlier helped to build the Chasma-1. Pakistan has another nuclear power plant in Karachi.
Ahmed said creation of an independent Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority will be helpful in ensuring safety and integrity of nuclear power plant.
Addressing the function, Chairman of Pakistan's Atomic Energy Commission Parvez Butt said Pakistan has "demonstrated its capability to operate nuclear power plants efficiently and safely for the last 34 years".
More such projects would come up in coming years to meet the increasing demand for electricity, he said.
© HT Media Ltd. 2004.