{"id":4164,"date":"2026-11-10T23:03:44","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T18:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/?p=4164"},"modified":"2026-11-10T23:03:44","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T18:03:44","slug":"pm-vows-energy-independence-as-chashma-5-nuclear-plant-hits-milestone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/?p=4164","title":{"rendered":"PM vows energy independence as Chashma-5 nuclear plant hits milestone"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for building an economically strong, energy-independent and environmentally resilient Pakistan, saying the country would harness its resources, technology and human capital to secure a prosperous future.<\/p>\n

Addressing the dome placement ceremony of the Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant (C-5) in Mianwali, the prime minister described the milestone as a testament to Pakistan\u2019s determination to shape its future through hard work, technological advancement and strategic partnerships.<\/p>\n

He said the project represented more than a construction milestone, describing it as a commitment to providing clean, reliable and affordable electricity to strengthen the economy and improve people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

PM Shehbaz said nuclear power would reduce Pakistan\u2019s reliance on imported fuels and exposure to international price fluctuations while ensuring a stable electricity supply for industries, hospitals, educational institutions and households.<\/p>\n

\u201cPakistan will not wait for anyone, but will build its own future through its hard work and untiring efforts,\u201d he recalled saying at the project\u2019s groundbreaking ceremony in July 2023.<\/p>\n

The prime minister said the dome had been installed less than three and a half years after the groundbreaking, ahead of schedule. He expressed confidence that the plant would also be commissioned earlier than planned.<\/p>\n

He stressed that Pakistan, as a climate-vulnerable country, had a responsibility to pursue energy solutions that supported economic development while protecting the environment.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Security, investment and economic revival<\/h3>\n

The prime minister said national security was essential for economic progress, adding that no country could build a prosperous future without safeguarding its present.<\/p>\n

He acknowledged the role of the armed forces under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in ensuring security and stability.<\/p>\n

Referring to Pakistan\u2019s experience during Marka-e-Haq, Shehbaz praised the professionalism, courage and resolve of the armed forces.<\/p>\n

He said a secure environment was essential for attracting investment, reviving the economy and accelerating socioeconomic development.<\/p>\n

The prime minister also appreciated Field Marshal Asim Munir\u2019s support for the government\u2019s economic revival and development initiatives.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Pakistan-China cooperation<\/h3>\n

PM Shehbaz described Chashma-5 as another enduring symbol of the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China, saying the project reflected the two countries\u2019 shared commitment to economic progress.<\/p>\n

He said it marked the seventh nuclear power unit China had helped Pakistan construct, highlighting the consistency of bilateral cooperation through challenging times.<\/p>\n

The prime minister thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and the China National Nuclear Corporation for their continued support.<\/p>\n

He also acknowledged the contributions of Chinese and Pakistani engineers involved in the project.<\/p>\n

PM Shehbaz said the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would create new economic opportunities, strengthen strategic ties and contribute to a brighter future for both countries.<\/p>\n

He congratulated the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), China Atomic Energy Authority, China National Nuclear Corporation, contractors, engineers, financial institutions and other stakeholders on the milestone.<\/p>\n

The prime minister also thanked the people of Mianwali for hosting the project.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Nuclear power contributes 16.6% of electricity generation<\/h3>\n

Earlier, PAEC Chairman highlighted nuclear energy\u2019s growing contribution to Pakistan\u2019s electricity mix and energy security.<\/p>\n

He said the country\u2019s nuclear power plants were generating 3,530 megawatts of electricity safely and efficiently, helping avoid approximately 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.<\/p>\n

Nuclear energy accounts for around 16.6% of Pakistan\u2019s electricity generation despite representing only 8.6% of its installed power capacity. Its share rises to approximately 26% during winter.<\/p>\n

The Chashma-5 project will have a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts and is expected to begin producing electricity in September 2030.<\/p>\n

The ceremony was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, senior Pakistani officials, Chinese representatives and officials from relevant organisations.<\/p>\n

PM Shehbaz concluded by reaffirming his government\u2019s commitment to building an economically stronger, energy-secure and environmentally responsible Pakistan, expressing hope that Chashma-5 would remain a lasting symbol of Pakistan-China friendship and their shared aspirations for peace, stability and prosperity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for building an economically strong, energy-independent and environmentally resilient Pakistan, saying the country would harness its resources, technology and human capital to secure a prosperous future. Addressing the dome placement ceremony of the Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant (C-5) in Mianwali, the prime minister described the milestone as a testament to Pakistan\u2019s determination to shape its future through hard work, technological advancement and strategic partnerships. He said the project represented more than a construction milestone, describing it as a commitment to providing clean, reliable…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english"],"gutentor_comment":0,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4164"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4164\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ipp-news.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}