Excellent safety and security at all nuke plants: Musharraf

President Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan is a respectable nuclear state, having excellent safety and security standards at all of its nuclear power plants.

Lahore, Dec 19 : President Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan is a respectable nuclear state, having excellent safety and security standards at all of its nuclear power plants.

"Pakistan's nuclear safety regulatory infrastructure is effective, functional and respected by the world bodies," Musharraf told a gathering at the Chashma Nuclear Plant-II.

Musharraf said the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) should work in unison towards the cherished goal.

He said it was gratifying to note that excellent safety and security standards were being maintained at the country's existing nuclear power plants at KANUPP and CHASNUPP-I.

The 325-megawatt capacity plant being built with Chinese collaboration and technical assistance is likely to be completed by the end of 2010, as it is moving ahead of schedule.

Musharraf said that the government has chalked out a comprehensive plan to expand power generation to meet the demands of the country's rapidly growing economy.

He said the world was realising the potential of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and advancement in design and management had enhanced the safety of nuclear plants.

The Daily Times quoted Musharraf as saying that the Chashma Power Plant along with numerous other development projects in the country were a living testament to the Pak-China friendship.

He said the successful construction of CHASNUPP had become a "good model of south-south cooperation."

ANI