ISLAMABAD: The US Energy team led by Special Envoy and Coordinator
for International Energy Affairs, Ambassador Carlos Pascual currently
visiting Pakistan met with the Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh
here on Wednesday.
This visit is the continuation of the Pak-US
strategic dialogue on energy started in 2009 when the US Secretary of
the State Hillary Clinton announced the energy programme in October,
2009.
The US delegation had wide ranging talks on cooperation
between Pakistan and United States. The Federal Minister for Finance
and Economic Affairs while talking the US team emphasized on the
technical support and shared understanding with US for the resolution
of technical issues Pakistan is facing in the energy sector.
Financial
support is an important aspect of the shared understanding for the
implementation of certain power projects we have started here in
Pakistan and Pakistan’s narrative in terms of finance by fully
articulated there in US, the Minister said.
He highlighted a
number of areas when there is a capacity for American investment
particularly in the Hydro Power, exploitation of coal reserves in
Pakistan, and LNG Projects. And he added that we are focusing certain
new ideas also which would help us in our resolve to end load shedding.
The Minister also said that the government is committed to
strengthening the energy sector for the overall economic development.
In order to achieve the target of the overall economic development the
government attaches tremendous importance to the revamping of the
electric power sector through structural reforms including good
corporate governance and strengthening of the regulatory system.
The
Minister also highlighted that structural reforms process by the
Cabinet Committees on Restructuring and Privatization of Public Sector
Enterprises who are striving hard to bring the change in a sudden and
transparent manner and in this account he mentioned the reconstitution
of the Board of Directors of the power generation and distribution
companies bringing corporate oriented personnel into them selected on
open merit from the open market. Our endeavor has started bearing
fruits but lot more has to be done in this direction, he added.
It
is pertinent to mention that the strategic dialogue between Pakistan
and United States started in October, 2009. The Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton announced the signature Energy Programme in October,
2009, followed up by phase-II of the programme in July, 2010. The last
energy dialogue was held on 23rd October, 2010, when the then Secretary
of State Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Mr. David L.
Goldwyn visited Pakistan leading a delegation, which led to US
participation and involvement in many projects (Hydel and Thermal)
power generation and rehabilitation of many Thermal Plants. Online
