Islamabad, 27 July 2022 (TDI): The Ambassador of the United States to Pakistan, Donald Blome, called on the Federal Minister for Power, Khurram Dastgir Khan, to discuss energy cooperation and investments between US and Pakistan.
Ambassador of US to Pak H.E Donald Blome called on Federal Minister for power @kdastgirkhan today.Minister welcomed the Amb. & said appointment of US Amb is a step in the right direction for Pak-US relations.Amb expressed keen interest of US in energy cooperation & investment pic.twitter.com/5Yrp8w72z6
— Ministry of Energy (@MoWP15) July 26, 2022
Khurram Dastgir, the federal Minister of Power, asked American companies to participate in the government’s plan for solar energy.
He further reiterated the shared objectives for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries.
According to the Minister, the solar policy will be introduced the next month, following the government’s commitment to reducing reliance on imported fuels.
Furthermore, the minister wished the Ambassador well and commended his appointment as the Ambassador of the United States to Pakistan. He regarded it as a step in the right direction and a positive development for relations between Pakistan and US.
The Ambassador, on his part, pledged to deepen ties between Pakistan and US on broader terms and voiced great hopes for their future.
Additionally, he asserted that Pakistan’s private sector had tremendous potential. According to him, the US is keenly interested in partnering and investing in the energy sector, digital services, and agricultural sectors.
Moreover, the ambassador lauded Pakistan’s renewable energy strategy. And appreciated the Prime Minister and cabinet for efficiently handling the country, despite challenging economic circumstances.
US and Pakistan energy and power deals
Earlier this year, to combat climate change and boost the proportion of green energy, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) collaborated with the government of Pakistan to launch a $23.5 million, four-year project to improve the country’s power sector.
Not only that, but the project will also enhance the management and operations of power transmission and distribution networks. Therefore, it will further aggrandize Pakistan’s power system’s financial sustainability, reliability, and affordability.
Over the last 75 years, the US and Pakistan’s bilateral collaboration has improved Pakistani’s lives by constructing dams and transmission lines, addressing humanitarian crises, and tackling common problems like climate change, water vulnerabilities, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
