May 15, 2005 -- BBC Monitoring
Pakistan would construct more nuclear power plants to meet the target of 8,800 MW electricity requirements. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman Parvez Butt said the PAEC has been assigned by the government to produce 8,800 MW nuclear electricity for the enhanced needs of accelerated economic development. PakAtom, the newsletter of PAEC, said on Saturday [14 May] the decision to produce mammoth nuclear electricity was taken in the wake of ever-growing oil prices. Butt said President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have provided their fullest support for the development of a strong base for producing nuclear electricity as per requirements of the country. He said Pakistan's nuclear programme would be expanded as per local and global conditions. Butt said Pakistan's nuclear power plants are under IAEA safeguards.
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