Hydro energy power projects: US willing to assist Pakistan

United States Ambassador Cameron Munter on Wednesday said that the United States was willing to assist Pakistan's hydro energy power projects to overcome the energy crisis crippling the industry. He was addressing students' gathering at Syndicate Hall, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. He said that Pakistan was passing through hard time but by making efforts, they can overcome it and transfer the crises into opportunities.
He stressed the need to launch a comprehensive campaign about sensitising the people about the precautions to avert a receipt of climate changes' disasters. He said that it was also a matter of concern that the resources of water were shrinking day by day, leading to floods and water scarcity in future.
He said his country would provide an equal opportunity to Pakistan to export their goods in US on competitive grounds. He expressed his dismay over the shrinking educational budget in Pakistan saying that we are encouraging Pakistani government in this regard. He said that Pakistan had a unique demographic dividend of having more than 70 million young population, that are beacon of hope for the development of the country.
He said that USAID had a long history of promoting institutional as well as people to people contact by investing on education and uplifting of social sectors in the country. He hoped that proposed Centre of Excellence to be set up at the UAF. He said that his country offered various scholarships in fine arts, international relations, and social sciences to enhance the capacity of Pakistan's professionals.
He recognised cooperation of Washington States University with the UAF during the last half decade when the College was elevated to the status of university in 1961. He said that Pakistan had an enormous and untapped potential that lead to be capitalised by investing on human resource development and boosting institutional cooperation.
He urged Pakistan to make major reforms in a bid to attract foreign investment in the country so the investor may feel friendly environment in the country. The ambassador was flanked by his wife Dr Marilyn Wyatt and US Consul General Nina Fite and Press Assistant US Consulate General Lahore Arsiha Bano. Earlier, UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan apprised the ambassador about the ongoing educational and research activities and future prospects of the university. Later, the ambassador visited laboratories and witnessed ongoing projects at the campus.