ISLAMABAD - United States Ambassador to Pakistan Richard G Olson on Friday said that US would continue to maintain partnership with Pakistan.
He said this while talking to the Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Finance and discussed bilateral economic issues and cooperation between the two countries. The finance minister thanked the Ambassador for US support for Dasu Hydro Power Project at World Bank Board meeting. He said that energy remains one of the highest priorities of the present government. The finance minister also discussed CASA-1000 Power Transmission Project and Diamir Basha Dam with the Ambassador. The Ambassador congratulated the finance minister on getting unanimous support of the World Bank for Dasu Hydro Power Project. He assured the Finance Minister that the US would continue to maintain partnership with Pakistan and will work for peace and stability in the region. He said that we are looking forward to enhance our existing relations in all areas of mutual interest. He informed the finance minister that the reimbursements to Pakistan on account of Coalition Support Fund are on track. 
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has also chaired a meeting to discuss progress of nuclear energy power projects at the Finance Ministry.
Ansar Pervez, Chairman PAEC, briefed the finance minister on the status of their ongoing energy projects to tackle the energy crisis. He informed that major ground work has already been accomplished and orders for equipment have been placed for new projects. He discussed financial aspect of the projects.
The finance minister assured the Ministry’s full support for nuclear power generation projects. He said that nuclear plants will provide electricity at cheaper rates compared to power produced from thermal sources. At present, the country is experiencing a widening gap between power supply and demand, leading to extensive outages that disrupt life and business and shaves three percentage points off economic growth annually, he added. Mr Salman Butt, Attorney General of Pakistan, Dr Waqar Masood, Finance Secretary, Barrister Zafar Ullah, Secretary Law, Rana Assad Amin, Advisor to the Finance Ministry and Mr. Shahid Mehmood, SA to FM were also present in the meeting.