Pak to establish uranium conversion

Pakistan will establish a uranium conversion and enrichment facility as part of its plans to expand its nuclear power programme.

Pakistan will establish a uranium conversion and enrichment facility as part of its plans to expand its nuclear power programme, the chairman of the country's Atomic Energy Commission has said.

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"To support our planned expansion of nuclear power in Pakistan, we have embarked upon establishment of a uranium conversion and enrichment facility that would cater to the needs of fuel for our nuclear power plants," Anwar Ali said at the just-concluded International Atomic Energy Agency's 51st General Conference.

Ali said the facility will be placed under IAEA safeguards.

While welcoming the IAEA's initiatives on "Assurances of supply of nuclear fuel", Ali said "the Agency should encourage expansion of nuclear power through the assured supply of nuclear fuel and other related services in a non-discriminatory manner."

Pakistan has been pressing that the international community place it on the same footing as India while permitting civil nuclear cooperation.

Ali also tried to reassure the international community over any concern over Pakistan's proliferation record, saying: "A comprehensive Export control Act is in place to ensure control over materials, goods, technologies and equipment related nuclear and biological weapons and their delivery system."