China to build 2 N-reactors in Pakistan

The Nation - ISLAMABAD – At a time when the country is facing acute shortage of electricity, all-time trusted friend China has signalled to help Pakistan overcome energy crisis in the days to come, reliable diplomatic sources informed TheNation on Thursday.

According to credible sources, China has agreed to build two new civilian nuclear reactors in Pakistan in a bid to help Pakistan bridge gap between supply and demand of electricity. The sources revealed that Chinese companies had even completed their homework in Pakistan to build at least two new power plants having total capacity of 650 megawatts.

Sources from Atomic Energy Commission of Pakistan, when contacted on Thursday, also confirmed these reports. However, they declined to share further details in this regard.

An official from Ministry of Defence, on condition of anonymity, also confirmed to TheNation that both sides had signed an agreement in this regard in the last week of February in China. Chinese cooperation towards Pakistan in this field began 19 years back in 1991 when both the friendly countries engaged in building a reactor at Chashma. The work on second such reactor started in 2005 which is expected to be completed by the next year.

An official of Foreign Office, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that Pakistan and China had reached a deal two month back to build two civil nuclear reactors.

According to media reports which quoted Spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Office Qin Gang, China has assured Pakistan its cooperation in the field of civil nuclear technology. “I have repeated on many occasions that we have sound cooperation and relations with Pakistan,” Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said, according to media reports. “We would like to continue this cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit,” Qin added.