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US envoy for International Energy Affairs Carlos Pascual arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday to discuss energy cooperation between the two countries. According to media reports, the delegation is likely to try and persuade Pakistan to abandon its gas pipeline project with Iran. Islamabad and Tehran held high-level talks earlier this month in which both countries agreed to expedite the supply of gas to Pakistan. The talks were part of Pakistan’s attempts to foster better relations with its neighbors.
Pascual will meet with Pakistan’s Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar to discuss financial and technical cooperation in the Pak-US energy dialogue. The two countries will also discuss the Diamer Basha Dam, which the US has agreed to finance partially despite objections by India.