Islamabad: The government of Pakistan has said to maintain momentum
of essential economic reforms, especially in the power sector.
“We
helped upgrade turbine at the Terbela Dam but the government could not
implement corresponding power sector reforms,” a high-ranking US
diplomat told Online requesting not to be named.
“To reform and
undo anomalies in the power sector such as enormous line losses is to be
done by the government of Pakistan and not the US”, the diplomat added.
According to the diplomat, Secretary of US Hillary Clinton’s
visit was her bold initiative to further the bilateral partnership
facing challenges at the operational plan. She came here to convey that
the US wants to work with Pakistan in meeting the economic challenges
as well as fighting a common enemy.
The diplomat was of the view
that the problem of corruption and misuse of financial assistance is to
be tackled by the civilian government of Pakistan. That is why, he
added, the Secretary of State mentioned in her press conference the
issues of accountability and corruption aught to be addressed by the
incumbent government. The diplomat told Online that US administration
would still continue supporting the civilian as well as democratic
government in Pakistan, even if it has to face lapses in deviation from
commitments.
The diplomat was of the view that it was very well
understood on the part of US administration that military action was not
the ultimate solution of the problem of extremism both in Afghanistan
and Pakistan.
He admitted to the fact that Pakistan as well as
US in assistance with rest of the world would have to provide an
alternative economy to the people living in tribal belt bordering
Afghanistan and Pakistan. Online
