The United States has supported Pakistan to add 1,700 MW to the national grid during the last seven years and would continue its assistance aimed at overcoming the power shortfall, US Consul General in Lahore Zachary Harkenrider said on Friday.
The consul general said that the provision of 1,700 MW would be enough for 19 million people and would help reduce load shedding in the country. “USAID has restored the capacity of thermal power plants in Guddu, Jamshoro and Muzaffargarh and enhanced the capacity of existing hydro power facilities,” Harkenrider said.
He said that a total 22,000 capacitors and electronic reading meters had also been installed at various grid stations which helped reduce unscheduled load shedding.
To introduce modern electronic control system, he said electronic control rooms were installed in major cities of the country with the assistance of USAID, which saved 157 million dollars to the distribution companies.
“Pakistan has a bright future ahead and all efforts of the US Mission are dedicated towards a stable, peaceful and prosperous Pakistan,” the envoy said, adding, “I am confident that Pakistan will find a path to security issues, achieve economic growth and prosperity.”
Talking about US cooperation with Pakistan in the various sectors, he said the US and Pakistan were enjoying excellent bilateral relations and US Consulate in Lahore would continue its support for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries with special focus on Punjab province.
To a question, the diplomat said the consulate had taken initiatives to enhance business ties with the province of Punjab by working through the chambers of commerce and industry with the close coordination of business community.
As a result of these efforts by the consulate, textile products of Pakistan had obtained access to US market which would be helpful in increasing textile exports to the United States, he said.
Talking about the education sector, Harkenrider said the US had extended support to promote the education sector and five new faculties were constructed in various universities of Punjab.
Giving details of newly-constructed faculties, he said that these faculties were constructed in the Punjab University, University of Education Lahore, Islmaia Univeristy Bahawalpur, Bahauddin Zakria University Multan and Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi. These faculties would serve as venues to train future teachers, he hoped. He said that a large number of scholarships including Fulbright scholarships had been offered to thousands of Pakistanis aimed at promoting education among Pakistanis.