KARACHI: U.S. envoy to Pakistan Donald Blome visited Jhimpir, and Karachi to highlight the Pak-US “Green Alliance” framework and strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations.
In Jhimpir, Blome visited the USAID-sponsored power grid station and the United States International Development Finance Corporation-sponsored Hawa Energy Limited wind power project, according to APP.
The plant contributes fifty MW of renewable energy to the South Asian country’s national grid, enough to power over 10,000 homes. USAID support for power transmission infrastructure has also enabled 780 MW of wind power to flow to the country’s power grid.
US Ambassador visits Sindh
The Ambassador also visited the Center for Advanced Studies in Water at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology – initially constituted via a $12 million cooperative deal between Mehran University and USAID – where Donald Blome discussed the partnerships between Pakistani and US universities that strengthen study in water and environment-related sectors.
As part of Pak-US “Green Alliance” framework, the US is working with partners across Pakistan to help clean energy and sustainable water management in the South Asian country.
“I am very pleased to be able to travel across Sindh province today and meet with our partners supporting Pak-US ‘Green Alliance’ framework,” said Blome. “This visit is a chance to see and highlight US investment in the province, and how it is focused on supporting Pakistan as it strengthens climate resilience, follows energy transformation, and raises inclusive economic development. The ‘Green Alliance’ framework is helping us meet the energy, climate, economic and water needs of the present and future.”
During his trip to Karachi, the envoy toured a US government-funded UNICEF project, where he was able to see how a solar-powered reverse osmosis desalination plant installed at the mosque is making a positive difference in the lives of Afghan refugees and Pakistani host community.
The Ambassador also observed mobile nutrition screening and heard how the project is helping kids and pregnant women and nursing mothers from the surrounding area, which does not have a local health facility. He also congratulated recent graduates at the Vocational Training Institute for Women, where UNHCR, through U.S. funding, supports skills training for Afghan refugees and Pakistani host community women.
Ambassador Blome also visited Makli Necropolis, one of the largest historic burial grounds in the world. Donald Blome visited the site with the Sindh Minister of Culture and a representative of the Heritage Foundation to see the results of the $260,000 Diplomats Fund for Cultural Preservation project to preserve and stabilize the 400-year-old tombs of Sultan Ibrahim and Amir Sultan Muhammad, two of the most prominent structures at Makli Hill.
Blome also visited the National Museum of Pakistan, including galleries highlighting sites in Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan.
