ECNEC approves N-fuel enrichment plant in Mianwali

[Neo]

ECNEC approves N-fuel enrichment plant in Mianwali

ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Thursday approved 28 development projects, including the Nuclear Fuel Enrichment Plant (NFEP) project worth Rs 14.24 billion.

The project, with a Rs 5.57 billion foreign exchange component (FEC), will be undertaken in Mianwali.

In a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen, ECNEC approved two other projects for the energy sector, including the extension/augmentation of existing 500KV and 220KV grid stations of the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) through the installation of additional transformers worth Rs 1.93 billion with a Rs 1.37 billion FEC.

The other project deals with the upgrade of transmission lines and grid system network of HESCO, worth Rs 5.85 billion with an FEC of Rs 1.69 billion.

In the physical planning and housing sector, ECNEC approved six projects. These include the reconstruction of District Complexes at Rawalakot and Bagh in Azad Jammu and Kashmir with a cost of Rs 1.31 billion and Rs 1.45 billion, respectively. The project is part of an umbrella project of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of earthquake-affected areas of AJK.

[Selma Shirazi]

Do we have full capacity and know how to build enrichment plants without foreign assistance?

I see an opportunity here to process uranium and sell it to NSG members.

[Neo]

Yes we have mastered the technology and knowhow to build these plants including gas centrifuges.