MIANWALI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday came down hard on the Opposition especially PTI saying that Pakistan does not need sit-in and protest.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Chashma-III Nuclear Power Plant, the Prime Minister asked the opposition not to obstruct the development of the country. “After a long time the county has now been put on right track and many of the wrongs are being rectified so there is no need of sit-in and protest. Have some mercy on the country,” the PM pleaded passionately.
He invited the sit-iners to come along for development of the country.
The Prime Minister described completion of C-3 as another milestone towards the journey to eliminate the menace of load shedding from the country.
He said the project is reflective of closer cooperation between Pakistan and China in science and technology. He said this cooperation is also beginning of a new era of development in the region.
The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that Chashma-IV nuclear power plant would also become operational before its deadline of mid next year. He expressed pleasure that Chashma two and three power plants awere most efficient plants in the country providing more than 600 MW of electricity to the national grid.
Nawaz Sharif appreciated Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for its efforts for self reliance in fuel fabrication and said his Government would extend every possible assistance to the Commission to help overcome the shortage of electricity in the country.
The Prime Minister referred to the generation target of 8800 MW of nuclear energy by 2030 and urged the Commission to accept the challenge of producing more than the target and play its full role in the development of the country.
He said there has been marked reduction in load shedding during the last three years and as pledged, the menace of load shedding would be over in 2018. He said generation of additional 2200 MW of electricity through K-II and K-III would contribute towards this effort.
The Prime Minister urged PAEC to take all possible measures to strengthen safety of existing and future power plants as per international standards. He expressed satisfaction that Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority has an effective mechanism to ensure safety of all plants.
The Prime Minister thanked China for extending cooperation in nuclear field and said the two countries are also actively cooperating in many other areas including construction of roads, motorways, airports and up gradation of Pakistan Railways.
He said many projects have been initiated under CPEC and their impact is now visible. He said all these projects are being implemented speedily and this would result in overcoming challenges of unemployment, poverty and backwardness besides accelerating the pace of socio economic development. He said projects under CPEC would also bring all regions of the country more closer.
He said Pakistan is marching ahead on the road of progress and prosperity and hurdles should not be created in the way of development.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister appreciated the hard work of scientists, engineers and staff of PAEC in overcoming the shortage of energy and announced two bonuses for them.
Vice President of China National Nuclear Corporation in his speech said cooperation with Pakistan in nuclear energy is reflective of strategic relations between the two countries. He said with the completion of Chashma-3, cooperation will strengthen further with Pakistan in peaceful uses of nuclear energy. He said nuclear power plants in Pakistan is playing vital role in economic development of Pakistan. He said Chashma power plants are safe and reliable power plants.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem said the Commission has been given a target of 8800 MW of nuclear power till 2030. He said to achieve this target, planning for establishment of more plants have been done and places identified and research work in this regard is going on.
He said three plants have been planned, out of which one will be established in Chashma and two in Muzaffargard. He said necessary skill has been acquired to prepare fuel for nuclear power plants and in Chashma land has been acquired for fuel fabrication plant. He said presently fuel for Chashma power plants are being imported from China.
Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Advisor to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, and Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali were also present on the occasion
