Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCJCCI) is keen for setting up Nuclear Power Plants to overcome energy crisis. Moazzam Ghurki, President PCJCCI stated this during a think tank session held at PCJCCI Secretariat. Ever since the Russia-Ukraine war, global warming and the gradual depletion of non-renewable sources of energy such as oil, gas and coal are compelling nation-states including most of the European states to reconsider their energy policies. Many of them are opting for energy production through nuclear power plants, which is not only safer, cheaper and effective, but also supports self-reliance. He added that Pakistan too turns its focus on producing energy through its nuclear power plants (NPPs) — such as Karachi Nuclear Power Plants (having the capacity of 1100MW each), the Chasma-1 (325MW), the Chasma-2 (325MW), the Chasma-3 (350MW), and the Chasma-4 (350MW) — under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. 

Recently our government has signed MOU for the 1200 MWe unit 5 of the Chashma nuclear power plant, which is being built by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). These NPPs not only increase the country’s electricity production, but will also help save billions of US dollars that Pakistan is currently spending for running other sources of energy.  There is a need for both educating the government on such feasible, reliable and cheaper options, and also increasing awareness amongst the common masses. Fang Yulong, Senior Vice President PCJCCI stressed that energy plays a significant role in running the economic engine of a country.  The more energy Pakistan produces and effectively uses, the more it protects its economy from fragility and the more it has the chances to prosper.  Thus, with national awareness and consistent functioning of Pakistan’s NPPs, the country can surely save more money and energy. 

He further added as the world moves away from carbon-based sources and towards nuclear energy, it is imperative for Pakistan to be proactive by undertaking stringent measures in order to successfully complete the Chasma-5 nuclear power plant — including that of K-4 and K-5 in Karachi and M-1 and M-2 in Muzaffargarh. Hamza Khalid, Vice President PCJCCI shared his views by saying that this project will definitely boost the economy of Pakistan. Our government has initiated large projects with China under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its benefits are having a trickledown effect. Progress is visible on projects of roads, Thar coal and Gwadar, while the GDP [growth] has risen to over 5 per cent and hoped it will be 6 per cent next year. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI added that there is a need for both educating the government on such feasible, reliable and cheaper options, and also increasing awareness amongst the common masses.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)