Uphill task for US to help Pak set up nuclear energy plants due to trust deficit: Carmela

LAHORE - It will be a very difficult task for the United States to help Pakistan set up nuclear energy plants for solving its energy crisis, as the latter’s history of attempted nuclear proliferation to Libya and North Korea has created a trust deficit about the country amongst the international community, US Consul General in Lahore, Carmela Conroy, has said.

In an interview with The News, Conroy said that nuclear energy was a high cost energy solution and would not suit Pakistan.

The country should focus more on its hydel generation capacity and the exploitation of natural fuel resources to reach a low-cost energy solution, she added.

Talking about the latest round of the US-Pak strategic dialogue, she said that the dialogue was not just about how the US could help Pakistan develop stronger democratic institutions and resources, but also about how latter could assist America with its interests in the region.

She pointed out that the US had many interests in Pakistan, including the support for war on terror and the establishment of a strong and stable democracy, which was not only in the interest of both the countries but also the region and the world at large.
The talks were a continuation of the Pakistan Assistance Kerry- Lugar Act, which had pledged the highest amount ever paid to any nation for accentuation and development of democracy in a country, Conroy noted.
She said that although Pakistan was a very dynamic democracy right now, it was in its initial stages, recovering from dictatorship.

Conroy gave an example, saying that even if a computer is shut down by pulling the plug, it takes some time to recoup and restart, and added that in a similar way, all the institutions of the government, the judiciary and the bureaucracy should show patience and progressive sustenance.

The recent decision of the Pakistan Supreme Court had struck a positive balance between the government and the judiciary and their jurisdictions, she said, adding that all the state institutions need to respect each other and work in harmony to lay the foundation for a lasting democracy. (ANI)