*US to extend bilateral relations, partnership in major sectors*
Daily Times, Tuesday, July 20, 2010
/By Zeeshan Javaid/
ISLAMABAD: To strengthen bilateral relations and enhancement of mutual
understanding between Pakistan and the United States, the US - at
'Pak-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue' on Monday announced that
communication and partnership with Pakistan in different major sectors
including energy, agriculture and education as well as exploration of
natural resources in the country would be extended.
According to the facts sheet regarding PAK-US Bilateral Strategic
Dialouge, the US would finance to Pakistan for construction of Gomal Zam
Dam, Satpara Dam irrigation project and small dams in Balochistan
province. While on completion of Gomal Zam Dam, it would store water to
irrigate 190,000 acres in South Waziristan, Tank, and Dera Ismail Khan
to control flooding, preventing an estimated $2.6 million annually in
damages, and enhance agricultural opportunities for approximately 30,000
farming families.
On the other hand, Satpara Dam Irrigation Project located in Sakardu,
Gilgit-Baltistan, connected to the new energy-producing dam would help
improve irrigation for 15,500 acres of land and provide 3.1 million
gallons of clean drinking water daily for Skardu's 280,000 local residents.
As such High Efficiency Irrigation (HEI) three-year project would
introduce improved irrigation technologies on over 250,000 acres of land
in all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and
the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). In each location, the
project would substantially reduce water use, increase crop yields from
30 to 100 percent and reduce fertilizer and pesticide use.
Similarly, Balochistan water storage (small dams) would support plans by
the government of Balochistan to create a series of water storage dams
and will enhance existing programmes for irrigation water storage and
distribution, while also promoting watershed management and integrated
crop management.
(...)
After the bilateral Strategic Dialogue meeting Hillary Clinton announced
a multi-year Signature Water Programme for Pakistan to improve
Pakistan's ability to increase efficient management and use of its
scarce water resources and improve water distribution. The first phase
of the programme would cover seven projects costing over $270 million.
US agencies would assist in identifying and furthering the development
of Pakistan's natural gas resources in order to provide long-term supply
security for its electric power plants. US assistance would help
Pakistan improve its legal, regulatory, policy and fiscal regime in
order to attract greater investment to develop those resources. US would
also conduct a feasibility study to determine the technical, economic,
and financial viability of a 50 MW wind power pilot project on behalf of
Engro Power.
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