US commits continued investment in Pakistan’s future

Islamabad: The United States has said it will continue investing in the future of Pakistan through initiatives in areas such as education, English language learning, entrepreneurship and exchange programmes.

These projects reflect a strong and sustainable partnership between the United States and Pakistan, aimed at fostering mutual growth and development, according to a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Islamabad.

"The United States, through strategic investments in various sectors including energy, water, agriculture and infrastructure, is helping build the future of Pakistan," she said in a video message on the New Year.

The spokesperson noted that 2024 had been a significant year for US-Pakistan relations, marking a period of stronger partnership and mutual progress. She said that the United States played a crucial role in enhancing Pakistan’s energy capacity, especially through investments in the Mangla and Tarbela hydropower projects.

“These initiatives increased the energy supply and improved access to electricity for hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis,” according to her. She also highlighted the US Climate Smart Agriculture project, saying the $24 million initiative is pivotal in reducing flood risks and hazards, restoring groundwater levels, and ensuring people's year-round access to clean drinking water in the Indus River Basin.

The spokesperson said that the US partnership helped improve agricultural productivity in Pakistan with modern seeds, skills, technology and better access to the market, boosting agricultural income by $1.4 billion and creating 0.1 million employment opportunities.

She also underscored the growing number of US-funded healthcare projects in Pakistan, which, she said, contributed to improved public health and well-being. According to her, initiatives in the areas of disease prevention, malnutrition, and improvement of sanitation helped improve living standards and saved lives in the country.

"In 2014, US-backed programmes helped Pakistan combat diseases such as polio and tuberculosis, as well as improved access to clean drinking water and sanitation." Expressing confidence in the creative potential and resilience of Pakistan's youth, the spokesperson highlighted the US investments in the country’s education sector, especially for youngsters.