News
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Govt looks for civil nuclear energy pact with US: ministerBy Imran Ali Teepu
WASHINGTON: Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif hinted on Tuesday that his government did look for civil nuclear energy pact with the United States since such an offer was also extended to him personally by Senator John Kerry during one of the visits by the US secretary of the state to Pakistan.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk
“We do look forward for such a deal with US like a civil nuclear energy plant… I was offered by Senator John Kerry in his last visit to Pakistan that US can look into providing civil nuclear energy plant to Pakistan,” Asif told Daily Times.
The minister was visiting Washington to attend an energy conference.
The minister also said, “Senator Kerry said why don’t you explore for a civil nuclear energy plant like we (US) can look into it.”
He then asserted that there was no concrete commitment but “there is a hope to meet our energy needs with the assistance of the US”.
Asif said that “my government is all open to meet energy needs and bring back the lost economic prosperity in Pakistan”.
It is worth noting that because of chronic structural and financial imbalances Pakistan economy only grew up to 3.7 percent in 2012. One factor for slow economic growth was energy crisis and load shedding of up to 18 hours a day, forcing a number of industrialists in Punjab and Karachi to shift their industries to China and Bangladesh.
Currently, Asif added, China is assisting Pakistan with two civil nuclear plants which would help the country generate 2,200 megawatts.
Commenting over the energy deficit he said, “We are still facing a shortfall of 3,400MW to 4,000MW and this demand of electricity fluctuates.”
He maintained that because of assistance of USAID “we were able to even point out the theft of electricity from a feeder”.
“The modern technology installed with the help of USAID is of a great help and we are limiting the power theft issue,” said the minister.
He informed Daily Times that currently electricity worth Rs 220 billion is stolen every year across the country.
“My main priority is to bring down the theft of electricity to address the needs of the industry and that of the residential areas.”
On a question of electricity provision for Pakistan from India, he said: “The World Bank is the moderator for our engagement with India for buying electricity from our neighbour but the discussions are continuing and nothing is finalised yet.”