File Photo: Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Agence France-Presse)
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today inaugurated construction work on a China-backed $10 billion nuclear power plant near Karachi to add 1,100 megawatts to the energy-starved country's electric grid.
The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant II (Kanupp II) or K-2 with the capacity to produce 1,100 MW electricity is being built with the assistance of China, which has become the biggest investor in energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
"This project is an example of the healthy friendship between Pakistan and China. We are thankful for the continued support of Pakistan by the Chinese government," Mr Sharif said.
The groundbreaking of K-2 and K-3 power plants was performed by the prime minister in November last year.
"Two new nuclear power plants, K2 and K3 will be built near Kanupp (Karachi Nuclear Power Plant) which was built 43 years ago.
"It is our top priority to end loadshedding," Mr Sharif said as he referred to the scheduled power-cuts imposed throughout the country.
He also congratulated the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission on the timely start of the project after its foundation was laid in November 2013.
Built for an estimated cost of $10 billion, the project was in the spotlight due to opposition by civil society activists who alleged that it was being built in violation of environmental laws.
The start of work on Kanupp II will pave the way for the construction of Kanupp III, also with a planned capacity to produce 1,100 MW, to be built with Chinese help.
The groundbreaking of Kanupp III was also performed in 2013 along with Kanupp II.