ISLAMABAD, 26 June 2007 — Pakistan is likely to set up a Nuclear Fuel Enrichment Plant (NFEP) to ensure availability of necessary material for its ongoing nuclear program. An amount of Rs.13.708 billion has been earmarked for the project which includes a foreign exchange component of Rs.8.136 billion.
The proposed project will be considered by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) at a meeting scheduled for June 28. The chairman of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission will brief the CDWP participants on the salient features of the project.
The CDWP will also consider projects worth Rs.35 billion pertaining to energy, environment, transport and communication, health, population welfare, education, commerce, industry, governance, science and technology, higher education and sports.
In the energy sector, the meeting will consider a Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority project aimed at strengthening regulatory infrastructure by applying innovative radioactive waste management technology to be initiated at a cost of Rs.338 million including a foreign exchange component of Rs.80 million.
The CDWP will approve a Ministry of Water and Power proposal regarding import of power from Iran for Gwadar, costing Rs.3.664 billion including a foreign exchange component of Rs.1.934 billion.
In the environment sector, the CDWP will consider three projects, namely establishment of emission testing/motor vehicles examination system, Islamabad, establishment of combined effluent treatment plant and construction of conveyance system for carrying waste at Hattar industrial estate for phase-IV and Rachna Doab afforestation project costing Rs.732 million.
The CDWP will also consider four transport and communications sector projects — land acquisition for Faisalabad-Khanewal Motorway, construction of bridge over the River Satluj connecting Pakpattan with Minchinabad including approach road and training works, linkage of Nara Amazai and Bait Gali Union Councils of Haripur with Kala Dhaka and construction of RCC pre-stressed bridge in district Abbotabad (revised PC-I). The cost of these projects is estimated to be Rs.5.623 billion.
Other important projects include establishment of Federal Drought Recovery Assistance Program Project, agro-food processing facilities at Multan, construction of office accommodation for National Accountability Bureau, Rawalpindi Phase-I and construction of judicial and administration complex in Sector G-10/1 Islamabad.
The projects like construction of sports stadium at Taxila and international university Gilgit (Northern Areas), establishment and development of Islamia University, Bahawalpur sub-campus at Rahim Yar Khan, establishment of college of agriculture at the Islamia University Bahawalpur, and establishment of Islamia university’s sub campus at Bahawalnagar would also be considered by the CDWP.
Islamabad Protests to NATO
Pakistan has lodged a protest with NATO over the killing of 10 tribes people by a rocket that landed in Pakistani territory from neighboring Afghanistan. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said the killing of the civilians in the North Waziristan tribal region over the weekend underscored the need for improved coordination in the fight against militants in the rugged area. “This incident underscores the need for better coordination, care and restraint by NATO forces, especially when they are operating close to the border,” Tasnim said at a news conference. “We have protested this incident and we condemn the killing of civilians.”
Tasnim said Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao will be visiting China as per schedule and it was not in any way related to the kidnapping of Chinese nationals by Red Mosque hard-liners.
An official told Arab News on condition of anonymity that the government had given the Ministry of Interior complete authority to take all possible action against the students of Madrasa Hafsa should they indulge in more lawlessness.
