Nuclear funds to be allocated in Pakistan

21 May 2010

The Pakistan government will allocate some Rs18 billion ($213 million) for the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in the upcoming development budget for 2010-11 to complete 19 ongoing nuclear energy-related projects under public sector development programs, according to a report in the Daily Times newspaper. PAEC has reportedly requested some Rs32 billion ($378 million) in funding. According to the report, Rs3.36 billion ($39.7 million) would be allocated for the ongoing Chashma Nuclear Power Project C-II; Rs289 million ($3.4 million) for the Swat Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy; Rs353.5 million ($4.2 million) for the Bannu Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy; Rs41.9 million ($500,000) for the DI Khan Institute of Nuclear Medicine; Rs200.6 million ($2.4 million) for the Benazirabad Institute of Medicine and Radiotherapy; Rs84.9 million ($1.0 million) for the establishment of the National Institute of Lasers and Optronics (NILOP); and Rs296.6 million ($3.5 million) for the extension of the PINSTECH Labs (Phase-II). Other funds will also be allocated for the ongoing detailed exploration of uranium (Phase-VII) and other ongoing projects. In addition, a further Rs10 million ($118,000) will be allocated for a new, unspecified scheme to be launched by PAEC.