Nuclear projects to address energy crisis

Pakistan should also be offered a civil nuclear agreement: Qamar.

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Defence Syed Naveed Qamar said that the construction work on two nuclear projects was underway at an accelerated pace to minimise power shortages. Addressing the participants of the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute he said, “Presently work on two nuclear energy projects is underway while power projects feeding 600 megawatts to the national grid have already been completed”. He said that power generation through nuclear is cheaper compared to hydel sources. No country can progress and overcome power shortfalls without investing and generating energy using nuclear technology, he added.

Qamar said that Pakistan is committed to the peaceful use of nuclear technology to meet energy requirements. However, he said, international community has allowed and signed civil nuclear agreements with the Indians while Pakistan is being denied of its just and legitimate right. He added that international agreements with India on nuclear technology will disturb the balance of power in the region. Pakistan should also be allowed the same facility, he said.

The minister said that the credit to initiate work on the nuclear programme goes to Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. He said that Pakistan’s interest will be kept supreme while taking decisions. Qamar said that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always taken the important decision with the consultation of all stakeholders.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2012.