Pakistan to build more nuclear plants

Pakistan to build more nuclear plants

2011-06-27 22:14:58 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday announced that Pakistan will build more nuclear plants to meet its growing energy needs.

According to the APP news agency, Gilani remarked that Pakistan's nuclear program was purely for peaceful purposes. The Premier made the announcement during the 36th International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs.

Gilani assured that Pakistan's nuclear program will continue to comply with the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) nuclear safeguard agreements.

"Building and operating nuclear power plants is vital to country's interests because of its severe energy deficiency" Gilani said.

In mid-May, Pakistan's third nuclear power plant, the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1 (CHASNUPP-2) became operational. The facility, located near Mianwali city, was inaugurated by PM Gilani.

The aim of the Pakistani nuclear program is to meet a target of 8,800 MW of electricity that will provide immediate relief to the population by 2030. The Asian country is currently planning the development of two more power plants C-3 and C-4.

In April, IAEA declared that the nuclear program of Pakistan is safe and secure. In 2006, the Asian country put in place an action plan to strengthen nuclear security managed by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA).

The action plan included management of radioactive sources; nuclear security emergency coordination center (NuSECC); and locating and securing orphan radioactive sources.

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