- Says those who pushed the country into darkness of load shedding ‘must be questioned over their grave negligence’
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday inaugurated the Chashma-III Nuclear Power Plant that will add 340 megawatt electricity to national grid.
He performed the inauguration of Chashma-III Nuclear Power Plant, completed with the assistance of China, by unveiling a plaque at a special ceremony held here.
The Prime Minister criticised previous governments for pushing the country into darkness of load shedding, adding that “those responsible must be questioned over their grave negligence”.
“They must be asked for bringing in an era of darkness in Pakistan and giving the nation a curse of 18-hour electricity load shedding a day,”
Earlier, at the Control Room, the PM was briefed by the Plant Manager Riaz Khaliq Ansari.
The Prime Minister was apprised that this was the third project after successful operation of Chashma-I and Chashma-II projects, which were fully operational and producing 325 and 340 MW respectively.
Chashma-IV Nuclear Power Project, which will be completed in 2017 and Karachi Nuclear Power Projects K-2 and K-3, to be completed later, will add a total of 8,800 MW electricity to the national grid by 2030 as mid-term target by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
The Prime Minister said an uninterrupted supply of electricity was a lifeline for the continuity of industrial activity in the country, which suffered a severe setback due to power crisis.
Nawaz Sharif said the country was now coming out of its troubled times with the completion of development projects on full pace, improved economy and law and order situation.
He said since everything was going on in right direction, all the political sit-ins and agitations were simply useless.
“Do not create hurdles and put Pakistan’s interests ahead of your personal ones,” he asked the politicians.
Nawaz Sharif said ending load shedding was the government’s top priority and termed the completion of CHASHNUPP-III another milestone achieved towards zero-load shedding.
“The commitment to rid the nation of electricity load shedding by 2018 will be fulfilled, God willing.”
The Prime Minister said Chashma-III project was a reflection of solid foundation of friendship between Pakistan and China.
He said the completion of K2 and K3 power plants would not only generate 2,200 megawatt electricity but also strengthen ties between the two countries.
He expressed satisfaction over assurance given by the authorities for completion of Chashma-IV by April 2017, instead of the earlier deadline of mid-2017.
He said besides expansion of nuclear projects, the government was also mindful of ensuring their safety standards and expressed satisfaction over the vigilance of Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
Nawaz Sharif said the government would fulfill needs of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in its projects and also thanked China Atomic Energy Commission, China National Nuclear Commission and Exim Bank for providing financial and technical support.
He invited the Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan’s power sector and assured them of the government’s fullest assistance.
He said Pakistan and China being close friends were collaborating in diverse areas, mainly China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and infrastructure projects.
The prime minister mentioned that the government with Chinese assistance was building highways in Balochistan, constructing modern airport in Gwadar and upgrading railways system.
Chairman PAEC Muhammad Naeem said the environment-friendly Chashma nuclear projects were in accordance with the international safety standards.
The vice president of CNNC said China’s cooperation with Pakistan in nuclear energy was for peaceful purposes and reflected strategic nature of their relationship.
He said nuclear projects were one of the important resources of sustainable energy and economy.
He felicitated Pakistan government on completion of Chashma-III and said China would further strengthen cooperation in nuclear energy.
Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif, PM’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, State Minister for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali and Director General Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Mazhar Jameel were present.
