Pakistan Prime Minister inaugurates China-backed fifth nuclear power plant

By Sajjad HussainnnISLAMABAD: Power-starved Pakistan today received a major boost as a China-backed 340 MW nuclear power plant in its Punjab province was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.nnThe fifth nuclear plant C-4 plant is located at Chashma in Mianwali district of the Punjab province.nnAbbasi said that the nuclear plants were source of cheap energy and Pakistan would work on setting up more such plants.nnThe project has been completed by the support and cooperation of China.nnAbbasi said the government was completing all energy projects on fast-track basis to tackle the chronic energy shortages.nnHe has already promised that there would be no power shortage after November.nnChashma already has three nuclear power plants known as C-1, C-2 and C-3 which are contributing to the national grid along with a similar plant in Karachi.nnPakistan is also building two more nuclear power plants in Karachi known as K-2 and K-3 aimed to give a major boost to civil nuclear energy after completion.nnPakistan has been grappling with power shortage and the unusually long hours of power outages has been haunting its people for about a decade.nnAbbasi thanked China for extending cooperation in the nuclear field. Pakistan and China are actively cooperating in many other areas, including construction of roads, motorways, airports and upgradation of Pakistan Railways.nnMany projects were initiated under the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).nnSource: Press Trust of India