News
Thursday, April 15, 2010
‘US should help Pakistan overcome energy crisis’
* US NSC official calls on Zardari, Dr Hafeez Sheikh
* President urges US to expedite ROZs billISLAMABAD: The US should assist Pakistan in energy technologies to help the country overcome its energy crisis, which is adversely affecting the Pakistani economy, President Asif Ali Zardari said on Thursday.
The president made these remarks while meeting David Lipton, senior director for international economics at US National Security Council at the Presidency. Bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest, war against terrorism, Pakistan’s economic situation and US assistance for Pakistan were also discussed in the meeting. Zardari said the US should help stabilise the Pakistani economy by investment promotion, helping overcome the energy crisis, facilitating access of Pakistani exports to US markets, capacity building of civilian institutions and providing aid for the education and social sectors of Pakistan for combating the mindset of terrorists.
The president emphasised the need to expedite legislation on the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) to provide better economic opportunities for the people. He asked the US to play its role for rehabilitation of the people affected by the army operations in Swat and Waziristan.
David Lipton appreciated Pakistan’s role in the war against terrorism and said the US was fully aware of the losses, which the Pakistani economy had to face due to the war. He said the US would help Pakistan in every possible manner.
Separately, David Lipton also called on Adviser to the prime minister on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh. The adviser said Pakistan valued its economic ties with the US and wanted them to be further strengthened while he also invited US business entrepreneurs to invest in various sectors of the Pakistani economy.
Lipton said the US wanted to establish a long-term relationship with Pakistan in various sectors of the economy and would help Pakistan in raising the living standards of its citizens. staff report/app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk