Pakistan and China are likely to sign a deal in November for the construction of six more nuclear power plants of 300 MW each.

Top Chinese officials are expected to visit Pakistan to sign the deal for the plants which will be built in addition to the two Beijing [Images] has already committed for, the Dawn reported.

The Pakistani media has in recent months carried persistent reports about the impending deal between the two countries to construct the 300 MW power plants ever since the United States refused to extend the US-India nuclear deal to Pakistan in March on the ground that New Delhi and Islamabad have different needs and history.

Considered as Islamabad's close strategic ally, Beijing apparently has decided to accede to persistent Pakistan's requests. Both countries have decided to build 300 MW power plants as that is the maximum capacity at which China could build nuclear power plants.

It is not clear yet whether the power plants would be thrown open for IAEA safeguards.

Pakistan also said that it would invite foreign investment to build nuclear power plants on build and operate basis and these plants could be set up in special zones.

The newspaper said Pakistan has made a comprehensive 25-year energy security plan and is willing to invest as much as $150 billion from 2005 to 2030 to meet its growing energy needs.