ISLAMABAD, 5 January 2006 — Pakistan yesterday categorically denied that Islamabad was either negotiating or had struck a $7 billion deal with China for the purchase of eight nuclear plants.
Foreign Office spokesman Tasnim Aslam said, “baseless stories are being published by British press about Pakistan’s nuclear purchases from the People’s Republic of China.”
She said the Financial Times of London misinterpreted and misreported Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz’s statement which he made at the inaugural ceremony of Chashma Nuclear Plant, built by China.
She said, Chashma-II is meant to generate 600 megawatts of electricity.
Pakistan abides by the rules set by the International Atomic Energy Commission, she said. Tasnim said Pakistan favors nuclear non-proliferation. Its nuclear program is above board.
