News
Thursday, June 17, 2010
US assures help in overcoming Pakistan’s energy shortfall
* Energy Working Group reviews progress in implementing US programme’s first phase
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The US assured Pakistan, during a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the future prospects for greater cooperation in the energy sector, that it would assist in addressing the hardships experienced by Pakistanis due to energy shortfalls.
Delegations from Pakistan and the US had met to continue a partnership on energy issues focused on improving the lives of the Pakistani people. Raja Pervez Ashraf, minister for Water and Power, led the Pakistan delegation while the US delegation was led by David Lipton, an assistant to the US president and senior director for international economics at the US National Security Council. The meeting of the Energy Working Group under the US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue follows the October 2009 and March 2010 bilateral energy dialogues. Discussions focused on short- and medium-term steps to address Pakistan’s current energy shortfalls and to find means to return the sector to a sustainable footing. The Pakistani delegation presented the government’s steps to address the energy crisis, including the April 2010 Energy Summit and the prime minister’s energy plan. The US side appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to address short-term energy shortfalls and pledged its assistance in their implementation.
The US delegation confirmed its intent to assist Pakistan in addressing the hardships experienced by all Pakistanis due to energy shortfalls. They reviewed the progress in implementing the first phase of the US energy programme, including the rehabilitation of power facilities, tube-well pump efficiency, and enhanced distribution company performance. The US side also discussed future plans to address Pakistan’s medium- and long-term energy needs. Both sides discussed energy sector solvency and measures to craft a climate attractive to private-sector investment.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk