March 25, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 21, 1424

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BEIJING, March 24: China has agreed to help set up another 300-megawatt nuclear power plant at Chashma.

In this connection, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed here on Monday in the presence of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Two other MoUs were signed under which China will help develop Pakistan railways system. Beijing is to extend a soft-term credit of $500 million for the purpose.

The PM’s adviser on finance, Shaukat Aziz, inked the MoUs on Pakistan’s behalf.

An MoU was signed under which China has declared Pakistan a popular tourist destination, and agreed to help arrange and facilitate tourist groups.

The Chinese government will also provide a grant of $9 million under the Sino-Pakistan economic and technical cooperation programme, according to another agreement sealed on the occasion.

Chairman, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Pervez Butt, inked the MoU concerning the nuclear power plant. The Chinese side was represented by the head of Chinese Nuclear Power Authority.

Mr Butt said after the signing ceremony that the two countries would soon sign a formal agreement in this regard.

The power plant is proposed to be established within a period of six years, he said. The total financial help to be provided by the Chinese government is being negotiated, he added.

Under the MoUs on railways, Beijing will provide Pakistan 200 passenger coaches, in addition to the 175 already agreed upon.

Besides, financial and technical assistance would also be extended for the provision of a total 2,500 freight coaches.

It was decided that the Chinese companies would increase the number of locomotives from 75 to 175, to be provided to Pakistan Railways.

The MoUs also envisage provision of 40 electronic locomotives.

Besides, the Chinese government would help in the revitalization and rehabilitation of Karachi Circular Railway. —APP