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P.R. No.224/2006

Date: 24/06/2006

Pakistan-US Energy Dialogue in Washington on 26 June 2006

Pakistan-U.S. Energy Dialogue will take place in Washington D.C. on 26 June 2006. An inter-Ministerial delegation, led by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Energy Mr. Mukhtar Ahmed, will represent the Pakistan side. The U.S. side will be led by Ms. Karen Harbert, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Energy.

During its stay in the U.S., the Pakistan delegation will hold discussions with officials at the Department of Energy, visit relevant U.S. laboratories and energy facilities, and meet with representatives of the private sector to discuss ways of promoting bilateral cooperation in the field of energy.

The Pakistan-U.S. Energy Dialogue was announced during President George W. Bush's visit to Islamabad in March 2006. The Pakistan-U.S. Joint Statement of 4 March 2006 committed the two sides to form an energy working group to explore ways to meet Pakistan's growing energy needs and strengthen its energy security. The two sides also agreed to work together for public and private collaboration on a broad range of energy resources.

On 13 March 2006, U.S. Energy Secretary Sam Bodaman visited Islamabad and met with Foreign Minister Kasuri and senior Government officials. The two sides discussed key issues relating to the energy sector and next steps, including the establishment of a Joint Working Group to follow-up on the decisions and to work on cooperative ways to meet Pakistan's energy needs.

The holding of the Energy Dialogue is an important step in carrying forward the process of energy cooperation between the two countries in the context of the broadening and strengthening of the Pakistan-U.S. relationship.

Islamabad

June 24, 2006