China-Pak N-deal may not materialise during Hu's visit

Pakistan on Monday indicated that the much speculated deal with China to build six nuclear power plants in the country may not materialise during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Islamabad beginning November 23.

"Co-operation in civilian nuclear technology between both the countries is longstanding. Reports of signing and supply of certain number of power plants are all speculative," Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said on Monday replying to a question.

Reports have been in circulation for several weeks that China would set up six 300 mw nuclear power plants to offset US refusal to extend the India-US nuclear deal on civilian energy to Pakistan.

China has already built one plant and is constructing one more of the 350 mw capacity.

Aslam said a number of agreements were expected to be signed during Hu's visit especially on the trade front.

Pakistan hopes to clinch a Free Trade Agreement and a $5 billion investment package with China during Hu's visit.

Hu will arrive in Islamabad alongwith a "high power entourage" on November 23 and his visit would be a "high point" of commemorative events of 55th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, she said.

Hu would hold talks with President Pervez Musharrraf and other leaders and address the people of Pakistan, she said without elaborating whether he would address Parliament.

He is also scheduled to visit Lahore, she said but declined to specify whether he would visit Gwader, the port town in the troubled southwest Balochistan, where a strategic port was being built with the assistance of China.