Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has urged the United States to invest in the power sector, and said the government has embarked on a comprehensive strategy encompassing short-medium and long term measures to ensure energy security in the country. He added that as a part of the plan all possible conventional and unconventional resources shall be exploited towards resolution of the present energy crisis in the country.
He was talking to a US delegation on energy which headed by David Goldwyn, Co-ordinator for Secretary of State for International Energy Affairs, called on him on Saturday. Ms Anne W. Patterson, US Ambassador in Pakistan was also present in the meeting. The prime minister underscored the need for a better understanding by the outside world of the energy situation in Pakistan.
He asked the US delegation to invest in upgradation of the existing power generating units to further enhance the capacity to 440MW to the national grid. He also urged them to render support in government endeavours towards energy conservation through which an additional saving of 1,000 MW can be ensured. The Co-ordinator for the Secretary of State appreciated the government of Pakistan's energy plan, saying that it was extremely sound and required diligent implementation. Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf also attended the meeting.-PR