American good deed
Local Thursday, January 14th, 2010Mr. Holbrooke has announced disseminating $1 Billion for energy projects in Pakistan. Ordinarily this would be a great thing–however this good deed
comes intermingled within a hail of bloody American bullets raining from the sky. At least with electricity the children and women who face the drone bombings can visualize the destruction of their homes, see their dead and tend to the wounds of the injured.
ISLAMABAD – US will provide $ 16 million for the up-gradation of Pakistan’s largest hydropower project Tarbela. This was stated by the US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, in his joint press conference with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi here on Wednesday.Richard Holbrooke who is currently on a three-day official visit to Pakistan said that United States was well aware of the energy crisis confronting its trusted ally Pakistan. In order to help Pakistan in meeting its energy requirements, United States will help to upgrade Tarbela Hydropower Project on priority basis, Holbrooke said.He said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed in this connection on Wednesday between the US and Pakistan.Commenting on the upcoming London meeting, Holbrooke said, “The meeting will have a major role to play regarding reconstruction process in Afghanistan. I believe this will be followed by international efforts to help elements which seek to abandon extremist groups there and lead a normal life in Afghanistan.”Replying a question, Holbrooke said there had been no direct talks between the US and Taliban, adding, “However, we will appreciate if Hamid Karzai government gets engage in talks with them,” he said.Regarding his meeting with Qureshi, Holbrooke said, “We have discussed current situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan and ways to boost stability in the two countries as well as mechanism for coordination in the reconstruction operations.” He told reporters that Pakistan and the US would revive their strategic dialogue and upgrade them in a bid to rejuvenate their bilateral ties.At this occasion, Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan could play a vital role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and would leave no stone unturned to help its western neighbour in getting stability.“A stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in the greater interests of Pakistan and we are willing to play our role in this regard,” Qureshi said. Pakistan will participate in London conference scheduled on 25th of January, he added.Agencies add: The United States will give Pakistan $1 billion for six energy sector projects over the next four years to meet energy shortages, a US official said Wednesday.The projects include up-gradation of the Jamshoro Thermal Power Station in Sindh and Muzaffarabad Power Station in Punjab, Holbrooke said after signing an agreement for the projects.
For now, Pakistanis don’t need the Dollars–just don’t bomb them!–that would a good deed indeed!
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on Jan 14 2010. Filed under