I READ with surprise and concern a news item reported in the press that the ministry of water and power has floated a proposal at a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister for reducing reliance on imported fuel in power generation. It also suggested to the premier that a cap should be placed on nuclear power projects.

While decreasing the dependence on imported furnace oil and coal for generating electricity is a good suggestion, the proposal to bring the installation of new nuclear power plants in the country to a halt is illogical if not totally insane. As consumers of electricity, we still endure the brunt of loadshedding. And with all the buzz of the CPEC in the air, a consumer like me only anticipates an increase in electricity demand and not surplus.

Even if the astute estimates of the ministry are to be believed, it would be prudent to keep all options, including nuclear, open.

Mrs Atifa Nasir

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2017