Sharif launches China-backed nuclear plant

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated Chashma-III nuclear power plant in the city, another milestone in Pak-China joint collaborations.

The 340-mega watt nuclear power plant is a joint collaboration of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), said a press release issued by the PM’s media wing.

Defence minister Khawaja Mohammed Asif and adviser to Prime Minister on foreign affairs Sartaj Aziz were also present at the event.

After the inauguration of Chashma-III nuclear power plant, Prime Minister Sharif said, “Today, we have crossed another milestone in making Pakistan a load-shedding free country through this project.”

“Energy projects between Pakistan and China are a testimony of strong relations between Islamabad and Beijing,” he added.

The Premier said he was happy that the Chashma- III nuclear power plant was operational now. Work on the plant had started during his last tenure. “Chashma-I and Chashma-II projects are already working successfully,” PM Sharif added.

Mr Sharif said that load-shedding would be eliminated from the country by 2018, adding, “The government’s first priority is to end load-shedding in Pakistan and we have done well in the last three years to achieve this goal.”

He added, “Chashma- III nuclear power plant will contribute to the overall economic development of the country through energy supply to its industrial and commercial sectors.”

The Prime Minister thanked China for extending cooperation and said the two countries were also actively cooperating in many other areas.