December 3, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 8, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission to prepare a ‘vision 2025’ on a priority basis for the development of a strong base of nuclear power plants.

He said nuclear electricity must be developed in view of it being environment-friendly and its cost-competitive aspect, according to an official statement.

The prime minister issued the directive while presiding over the 31st meeting of the PAEC. Appreciating the commission for its contribution to the scientific development and fulfilment of defence needs, he said all resources and energy would be devoted to the development of human resource and infrastructure for socio-economic uplift of the nation.

He emphasized the importance of cheap electricity for rapid development and desired that additional coal, gas, hydro and nuclear resources should be exploited to their fullest for economic progress.

Referring to the Chashma nuclear power plant-II, he told the PAEC to continue negotiations with China so that they were completed on schedule and work on the project might start next year.

Mr Jamali said that agriculture being lifeline of the country be given due attention and stressed PAEC’s role in agricultural research, particularly in new varieties of crops and mitigation of pests by using bio-control methods.

He said Pakistan was to stay in the comity of nations with dignity and honour, and urged every citizen to contribute with dedication and devotion.

He said training of young people at the PAEC’s educational institutions needed to be strengthened to cater to the future requirements of the country and instructed the PAEC to assume a bigger role in this task.

Responding to the request of PAEC chairman Parvez But for enhancing grants to the commission’s research activities under PINSTECH and Agriculture Institute, the premier assured the meeting of government’s full support in this regard.

Mr Jamali emphasized that the PAEC was playing a significant role in diverse areas such as research in basic sciences, development of agricultural and biotechnology, provision of specialized medical services, exploration and exploitation of minerals, production of nuclear materials, instrumentation and control of equipment, laser, nuclear electricity and arms.

The PAEC chief said the country’s scientists and engineers had become self-reliant to run nuclear power plants. He also highlighted their role in the upgradation of the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant. The plant would be re-activated for electricity production shortly, he added.

Citing the impact of the agricultural research, the chairman said that higher yield crops evolved by the PAEC were fetching a Rs6 billion additional income to farmers.

The meeting was attended among others by the principal secretary to the prime minister, Shuja Shah, Food and Agriculture Secretary Salik Nazir Ahmed, and Water and Power Secretary Saeedullah Jan.