Pakistan in talks with China to acquire 3 nuclear plants

Pakistan is in talks to acquire three nuclear power plants from China for around US$13 billion according to officials, The Wall Street Journal reported. Two other advanced reactors from China are due to be built near Pakistan’s southern port of Karachi, under a US$9 billion agreement completed last year. US officials expressed concern about any deal, which would bypass international rules against nuclear exports to countries that, like Pakistan, have not signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. China says that its nuclear trade with Pakistan predates its membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and is therefore protected.