The United States has agreed to finance the under-construction Gomal Zam and Satpara dams and has also pledged to encourage its private sector investment in the energy sector, Minister for Water and Power Pervaiz Ashraf said. The minister, who led the Pakistan side in the discussion on co-operation in the energy sector under Pakistan-US strategic partnership, said that the United States had also approved financing for rehabilitation of old power plants.
Ashraf told journalists that Pakistan would spend money from its own resources on the construction of two small dams--Gomal Zam in South Waziristan and Satpara in the Northern Areas--and the United States would reimburse $40 million and $20 million, respectively, for these two projects. "These short-term projects will help the country meet a shortfall of 450 megawatt," he added.
In the long-term perspective, he said, the US officials vowed to encourage the American private sector to invest in the power sector through either public-private partnership or as power producers to boost overall power generation. Besides, the American private sector will partner with Pakistan's Alternative Energy Board on materialising a wind energy project.
According to the minister, the United States has allocated $2 billion for energy sector development in Pakistan under Kerry-Lugar Bill, and Islamabad has readied its feasibility reports for projects up to year 2014. The working group on energy also discussed structural reforms in the power sector, introduction of new technologies for reduction in power losses, improved recovery and smart grid system. It was also decided that the United States would assist Pakistan in both power generation and distribution and a working group will focus on all dimensions of the project.
Health sector: Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Advisor to Prime Minister on Social Issues, led the talks on co-operation in improving Pakistan's public healthcare system. She told journalists that the United States has agreed to support improvement in public health in five areas including women and children health, immunisation, polio, and prevention of Hepatitis B and C, and an integrated disease surveillance system.
She reported agreement on improving healthcare for flood victims as they return home. Under a signature program, $28 million will be devoted to building a ward for women and kids at Jinahh Post-Graduate Medical Centre in Karachi. Facilities at Lady Wellington Hospital in Lahore will also be expanded, while public health facilities will be improved in hospitals at Peshawar and Jacobabad.
Shahnaz also reported an agreement on an immunisation program for kids, which will be completed in 5 years. General Nadeem Ahmed (Retd), head of the National Disaster Management Authority, briefed the US officials about reconstruction plans in flood zones. Rebuilding lives in flood zones will also be supported, he said.
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