US Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard G Olson called on the Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here on Wednesday to discuss bilateral economic issues and co-operation between the two countries. The Ambassador informed the Finance Minister that the US is working with the UN to provide relief to the IDPs who have been internally displaced due to operation in NWA.
He informed that the US has already provided $8 million to WFP for milling of the wheat provided for IDPs by the Government of Pakistan. On hydro power generation the Ambassador informed the Finance Minister that an international investor's conference on Diamer Bhasha Dam will be held in Washington DC in October 2014 to be co hosted by Government of Pakistan and USAID. He mentioned that the US also considers Kurram Tangi Hydro Power Project as an important project which can benefit people of FATA.
He informed that besides the US, Government of Italy and Islamic Development Bank are also interested to finance the project. The Finance Minister said that energy remains one of the highest priorities of the present government. In this connection, the government is working on fast track to utilise indigenous sources to reduce the dependence on imported and expensive sources, he added.
The Finance Minister also discussed details of the investor's conference on Diamir Basha Dam with the Ambassador. He appreciated US support for IDPs and hoped that the international community will come forward for providing relief to the IDPs. The Ambassador assured the Finance Minister that the US would continue to maintain partnership with Pakistan and will work for peace and stability in the region. He said that we are looking forward to enhance our existing relations in all areas of mutual interest. He informed the Finance Minister that the reimbursements to Pakistan on account of Coalition Support Fund are on track. The meeting was also attended by Dr Waqar Masood, Finance Secretary, Shahid Mahmood, Special Assistance to Finance Minister and senior officials of the Ministry.-PR
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