PAKISTAN - $3.7 Billion Chinese Nuclear Project
[Islamabad] Pakistan officially began construction on the Chashma Nuclear Power Project Unit-5 (C-5), marking a milestone development for the country’s energy sector and the start of construction on its largest nuclear power plant.
China is helping to build this mega project. The Chashma-5 nuclear power project, which is expected to cost $3.7 billion, is expected to be completed and ready for operation by 2030.
Once operational, the new facility will significantly increase Pakistan’s energy supply, helping to address the country’s persistent electricity shortages. Over the past 30 years, Beijing has installed four nuclear power generation units at Chashma, collectively producing around 1,300 megawatts. China supplies enriched uranium for fuel.
Earlier, the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) granted the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) the license to construct the country’s largest nuclear project. A PNRA press release states, “The license was granted following a comprehensive review and assessment, ensuring all regulatory requirements were met in line with national and international standards.”
Addressing potential US sanctions on Pakistan’s nuclear missile program and whether it might impact its civil nuclear projects, independent researcher Asma Khalid clarified: “The civil nuclear program and the ballistic missile program are entirely separate and unrelated domains. Linking the two would be unfounded.”
-themedialine.org, 1 January 2025
Arno's Commentary
While Pakistan can show an over 5,000-year history, the modern state was established in August of 1947, separating itself from India. The nation’s population stands at 252 million, with a somewhat low life expectancy of only 70.3 years, and GDP per capita of $5,600 (2023 estimate).
In 1998, this 96.5% Muslim nation tested their first nuclear weapon. Since then, it is officially a nuclear nation.
Pakistan has never recognized the State of Israel, and remains a staunch supporter “for the continuation of the native Palestinian state,” meaning no Jewish state.
We note China’s involvement. This is but natural; China is the world’s leading manufacturing nation, almost double the volume of the USA’s output. Investing in foreign nations was the universal principle of European powers until the late 1800s.
What is Pakistan’s future? The same as all other nations on planet earth. Micah 4:3 declares: “And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
Arno Froese is the executive director of Midnight Call Ministries and editor-in-chief of the acclaimed prophetic magazines Midnight Call and News From Israel. He has authored a number of well-received books, and has sponsored many prophecy conferences in the U.S., Canada, and Israel. His extensive travels have contributed to his keen insight into Bible prophecy, as he sees it from an international perspective.
