US Ambassador to Pakistan visits Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

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Sabrina Sohail
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US Ambassador to Pakistan visits Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
US Ambassador to Pakistan, David Blome visits Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Peshawar, 9 August 2022 (TDI): US Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome paid a visit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) for the first time, on August 3 and 4.

During his visit, he highlighted the US government’s substantial economic and development assistance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the last 75 years.

Ambassador’s visit to KPK

In a meeting with Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Ambassador Blome highlighted the US’ intention for economic growth, trade, educational collaborations, and investment in the country.

Moreover, Ambassador Blome traveled to the border crossing at Torkham on 4th August. This included taking in the 46-kilometer Peshawar-Torkham Road, an $87 million US government construction project.

In this context, it has cut the cost of travel and vehicle upkeep in half while helping commuters and traders every day.

The Department of Health Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received 36 vehicles from Ambassador Blome and USAID Mission Director, Reed Aeschliman while they were in KPK.

The aid is part of the US government’s assistance to Pakistan in containing the COVID-19 pandemic and assisting rapid response teams in gathering samples and monitoring cases.

This gift follows a recent declaration in Washington that 16 million doses of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine would be given to Pakistan, bringing the total amount of American donations above $77 million.

Additionally, Ambassador Blome also went to the Peshawar Burns and Plastic Surgery Center during his visit.

Read Also: Ambassador of US visits Peshawar Burn Center

Visit to the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies

Ambassador Blome visited the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy at the University of Engineering and Technology in Peshawar. He expressed that he was really happy to visit the place.

Moreover, he explained that the building represented the US-Pakistan relationship that has been growing for the last 75 years.

Infrastructure Aid by the US

The US government completed the Gomal Zam Dam with assistance from the
American people, who donated $130 million.

As a result, Pakistan now has an additional 17 megawatts of energy capacity, which is more than enough to power 20,000 homes.

The US built approximately 1,300km of roadways along the border, including 652km of motorways, 35 bridges, and two tunnels.

To assist farmers and companies in getting their products to market, the US government
constructed an additional 1,240km of roads as part of crop control and border security programs.

The improvement of the province’s rule of law has been aided by the construction and repair of 420 police facilities.

The American government invested $2.6 million in transforming 28 into model police stations, including providing training and assistance to women.

Education Aid by the US

The US government continued to improve reading ability for more than 600,000
children in KP by coaching more than 14,000 teachers and delivering more than three million books for public use.

The literacy rate in the newly merged districts was 33 percent overall and only 12.7 percent among women.

More than 8,500 university scholarships and competitive awards have been given by higher education programs to deserving but financially strapped Pakistani students who are pursuing careers in industries like agriculture and business management that are crucial to boosting the country’s economy.

More than 1,000 schools that had been destroyed by terrorism and natural catastrophes were rebuilt by the United States, benefiting 229 schools and more than a million students.

Health Aid

More than 200 facilities, 120km of the local sewage system, and 180 potable
water wells were renovated by the US in Peshawar.

More than 340,000 women and children are receiving life-saving assistance from the US through a variety of interventions in the area, and more than 10,000 healthcare professionals have received training from the country.

Energy Aid

As a result of the US government’s collaboration with the Pakistani government to
establish centers for advanced learning in the fields of water, energy, and food security.

This flagship initiative, which cost $127 million, has resulted in these centers becoming renowned organizations both within Pakistan and around the world.

The US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy at the University of Engineering and Technology in Peshawar stands as an example.

Aside from that, the US government assisted more than 130,000 women living in rural regions to register and obtain their national identity cards, which will allow them to vote and qualify them for a number of government assistance programs.

Humanitarian Aid

More than 2.2 million people have been temporarily displaced since 2008, and the US government has helped them by giving more than $338 million in humanitarian aid in a variety of fields, including agriculture, health, and hygiene, food & water, security, shelter, and sanitation.

Additionally, the US assisted 1.9 million displaced Pakistanis in rebuilding their devastated
homes and starting over.

Economic Development

In order to help 3,000 women farmers in KP maintain their financial stability, the US government provided chicken packages and greenhouses.

Through improved irrigation networks, the US helped increase agriculture production on more than 220,000 hectares of land.

US Private Sector Investment

On June 29, Udacity, a US IT skills company, signed a contract with the Government of KP for PKR 135 million ($600,000) to train graduates in nano-degree skills.

Cultural Protection and Restoration

Since 2002, the US government has contributed more than $800,000 to the preservation of cultural assets through six Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation projects in KP.

This includes $600,000 for the preservation and restoration of the monastery located in Takht-i-Buddhist Bahi.