Pak, China prepare for pact on nuke projects

Islamabad, Sep 20: Pakistan and China are preparing for an umbrella bilateral pact for extended cooperation in the energy sectors including nuclear, mineral and others during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit here tentatively scheduled for November, a media report said.

The Nation quoted official sources as saying that the two countries were currently exchanging technical delegations estimating pre-feasibilities of various energy projects ranging from nuclear power reactors to transnational oil and gas pipelines.

''In addition to the proposal of Saudi-Pak-China Oil Pipeline, and its possible co-tracking with Pak-Qatar Gas Pipeline, the Chinese are also keen to participate in other transnational energy transportation projects namely Turkmenstan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) and Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI)," the sources added.

More than the TAP Gas Pipeline that is lacking prospects for perpetuating security obstacles, the Chinese were very much interested in IPI Gas Pipeline, the sources said.

''China was also weighing the options of seeking an extension or diversion from IPI,'' the sources added.

The thrust of the expected umbrella energy pact will be making Pakistan energy corridor from Gwadar in southwestern Balochistan to China, a declared agenda of President Pervez Musharraf.

Inauguration of Gwadar deep-sea port and signing of energy cooperation pact to the level of Pak-China Friendship Treaty signed a few years ago, will be the main feature of the Mr Jintao's visit here, the sources said.

The likely energy cooperation pact will also include coal exploration, development, coal- based power generation, in addition to oil and gas, and nuclear cooperation for peaceful purpose.

Meanwhile, an official handout quoted Federal Minister Amanaullah Jadoon as saying, ''Pak-China cooperation in the Oil&Gas Sector was rapidly growing for the mutual advantage.'' Looking for investment opportunities a delegation from China Xingjian Petroleum and Allied Services headed by Youting Kou, general manager held a meeting with the minister.

According to the minister, the government was providing attractive package of incentives to the prospective investor in the onshore and offshore oil&gas exploration and it would welcome China Xingjian Petroleum's investment in these activities.

Mr Jadoon also highlighted the salient features of the investor-friendly policies of the government and oil&gas exploration activities in the country.

Mr Kou briefed the minister on Xingjian Petroleum activities in the oil&gas and expressed keen desire to participate in the exploration activities.

UNI