The 35-member Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday unanimously approved the agreement between Pakistan and IAEA for application of safeguards on Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 (Chasnupp-2). Similar safeguards agreement is also in place for Chasnupp-1.

The approval of the agreement is a success for Pakistan and recognition of its non-proliferation commitments, says a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Friday.

Chasnupp-2 is part of Pakistan's "Energy Security Plan", that envisages an increase in nuclear power generation from the current 425 MW to 8800 MW by the year 2030 to meet its growing energy demands. The Chasnupp-2 is being constructed with the assistance of the People's Republic of China. Pakistan is one of the only three non-NPT member states that enjoy the right of concluding such a safeguard agreement.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2006