Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended a ceremony in Mianwali on Tuesday to mark the placement of the reactor dome for the Chashma-5 (C-5) nuclear power plant. The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the milestone was reached ahead of schedule.
The dome serves as the roof of the reactor building, which houses the main equipment and the reactor itself. According to a government press release, the placement of this weather-sealed structure signifies the conclusion of civil works and the commencement of internal construction and installation. The C-5 plant is expected to begin producing electricity in September 2030, though the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the project could be commissioned earlier than planned.
During his remarks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the structure as "a promise of clean, reliable and affordable electricity." He noted that the plant would provide "power that does not rise and fall with the price of imported fuel; power that does not depend on whether the sun shines or the wind blows; and power that runs through the night" for hospitals and factories. He stated that as a climate-vulnerable country, Pakistan has a responsibility to pursue energy solutions that protect the environment while meeting economic goals.
The Prime Minister thanked President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government, and the China National Nuclear Corporation for their assistance. He also extended congratulations to the China Atomic Energy Authority. He noted that C-5 is the seventh nuclear power unit China has helped Pakistan build. He described the partnership as a "living testament to a friendship that has never wavered," adding that Chinese engineers worked "shoulder-to-shoulder" with Pakistani workers through various weather conditions.
The Prime Minister also thanked Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff, for his support in advancing socio-economic development. He stated that the goal is to build a Pakistan that is "economically dominant, energy independent and environmentally resilient." The premier noted that when he stood at the site in July 2023 during the groundbreaking ceremony, he said Pakistan "would not wait for anyone, but would build its own future through our hard work and untiring efforts." He added, "Today, less than three-and-a-half years later, the dome stands in place ahead of schedule."
PAEC Chairman Dr Raja Ali Raza Anwar highlighted that Pakistan’s nuclear power plants currently generate 3,530MW of electricity, which avoids 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. He noted that nuclear energy currently accounts for approximately 16.6 percent of the country’s electricity generation, despite making up only 8.6 percent of its installed capacity. This share rises to 26 percent during the winter months.
The project recently cleared a step when Pakistan and the IAEA signed a safeguards agreement for Chashma-5. Additionally, the Prime Minister’s Office noted that Chashma-1 recently set a PAEC record of 427 days of uninterrupted operation.
