US evinces interest in Diamer Basha Dam project

A three-member team of the US Embassy, lead by Counsellor for Economic Assistance and Development Richard Albright, called on Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar here on Tuesday and discussed various matters of co-operation in power sector, management/improvements in the distribution companies (Discos) and financing for the Diamer Basha Dam (DBD).
The minister, while welcoming the delegation, appreciated the US co-operation and assistance being extended to the power sector and said that it would help improve the efficiency of the public sector power entities, said a press release. The government, he said, was working on power sector reforms, rehabilitation, upgradation of Gencos, improvement in the working of Discos, power theft control and reduction of line losses.
The minister urged for US assistance for DBD along with that from the Asian Development Bank and other donors and termed the dam a lifeline for the country''s economy. He said the government attached top priority for the construction of the mega project. He also discussed US investment in the coal and wind power projects.
The US Counsellor reaffirmed the commitment that the US would continue to support the people of Pakistan and help improve the power sector. DBD was a very important project for future water requirement and to generate cheaper power, he said and added that the US was interested for financial assistance of DBD. He discussed various proposals to raise funding for this mega project.
He said that the US would be willing to provide the financial advice in this respect. A video conference has also been proposed next month with the US energy team and Wapda officials on Diamer Basha Dam project, he added. Albright observed that the previous meetings on energy sector were very beneficial and various programmes were chalked out to assist Pakistan in the power sector through reforms, upgradation and rehabilitation of existing plants.
He also raised the matter regarding formal approval of the task force on water by the Government of Pakistan as this report envisaged the construction of Diamer Basha Dam. The minister assured to take up the matter. Adviser on Diamer Basha Dam, Shakil Durrani was also present in the meeting.