In an apparent bid to counter the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, Pakistan plans to seek fuel technology from China for 10 new atomic power plants it intends to set up over the next two decades. During a high-level meeting, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani approved the construction of two new nuclear plants at Chashma in Punjab province, sources said, adding that these plants are expected to be built with Chinese assistance. The September 19 meeting attended by top officials of the military and Strategic Plans Division, the body that oversees the country's nuclear arsenal, had drawn up plans to acquire new nuclear plants and a satellite communications system. The Chashma complex, located about 200 kilometre southwest of Islamabad, already has two atomic power plants one that is functional and other that is expected to be completed in 2011. Pakistan plans to build 10 nuclear power plants at six sites across the country in the next 22 years and President Asif Ali Zardari will seek fuel technology from China for future atomic plants during his forthcoming visit to that country, The News daily reported on Wednesday. The plants are aimed at generating 8,800 MW of nuclear energy in the next two decades, a senior government official said. The six sites selected for the new plants are Qadirabad-Bulloki link canal near Qadirabad Headworks, Dera Ghazi Khan Canal near Tuansa barrage, Taunsa-Punjnad canal near Multan, Nara canal near Sukkur, Pat feeder canal near Guddu and Kabul River near Nowshera, the report said. source : Times of India
