VZCZCXRO5485
RR RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHIL #1648/01 1140953
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 230953Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6630
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC 4190
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3154
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 7763
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 2974
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9601
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 5352
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 4089
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 001648
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN ECON PGOV PREL PK
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND
NATURAL RESOURCES
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador me...
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S MEETING WITH NEW MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL RESOURCES
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador met with the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources on April 16 to discuss Pakistan's
plans for dealing with the current energy crisis. The Government of Pakistan (GOP) requests assistance with attracting
investors to its energy sector, organizing an investment conference and exploring the possible development of the Thar
coal fields. The Minister and confirmed the GOP continues natural gas pipeline discussions with Iran. Payment of
outstanding debts to U.S. companies and ending the fuel subsidies were also discussed. Post requests assistance in
providing resources on energy efficiency to the GOP. Post requests that SCA/PB gather materials from relevant agencies
and send them to Post electronically or via pouch. Post also requests that SCA and EEB discuss the possibility of
funding a feasibility study on the Thar coal fields with USTDA. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) This is an action request. See paragraph 12.
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ENERGY TOP PRIORITY
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3. (SBU) At the April 16 meeting with newly appointed Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Mr. Khawaja Asif,
Ambassador asked how the new government planned to develop additional energy generation in Pakistan. Asif noted that the
energy crisis must be dealt with quickly, and that new government planned to make it the priority issue. He emphasized
that the new government wants to develop the Thar coals fields in Sindh province. Calling the development of coal the
“low hanging fruit for Pakistan's energy sector,” Asif requested U.S. assistance to develop a bankable feasibility study
for the Thar coal fields.
4. (SBU) The GOP also wants to promote conservation efforts and energy efficiency to help relieve the crisis in the
short term. Asif requested U.S. “fast track” help with technical assistance to implement efficiency programs “before the
next cold season.” Asif specifically noted the problems with the standardization of gas appliances which are reportedly
at most only 22 percent efficient in Pakistan. He noted GOP discussions about distributing gas water heaters to citizens
to help alleviate the burdens of the blackouts. (Comment: Pakistan experienced a drought and its coldest winter on
record in 2007-08. Parts of the population in the high elevations and northern areas suffered from approximately 23
hours without electricity per day. It is presumed these gas water heaters would target this population. End comment.)
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DIALOGUE AND INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
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5. (SBU) Ambassador noted that the U.S. is interested in holding another session of the energy dialogue soon. She noted
that previous energy dialogues have not been as effective or as active as we would like but that we hope to see Pakistan
prioritize energy assistance project requests instead of giving us as “wish list of projects that would total billions
of dollars.” The Minister agreed, stating that “more planning is necessary in advance of the discussions to achieve more
in the long run.”
6. (SBU) Ambassador also noted the U.S. is interested in helping Pakistan attract U.S investors to its energy sector.
She also urged the GOP to move forward with planning for an Energy Investment Conference in the U.S within the next few
months. Asif welcomed U.S support in this endeavor and noted that Pakistan wanted to actively recruit U.S. investors to
the local energy sector. He noted that a new petroleum policy for exploration and production which will “open thirty
blocks” for foreign investors and the U.S. investors would be “most welcomed.”
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SUBSIDIES AND PAYMENTS
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7. (SBU) Responding to the Ambassador's question about the continuation of fuel subsidies, Asif noted that the previous
government had not raised fuel prices in over a year. He stated that it is necessary to increase the prices but that the
impact on the public will have to be minimized with a gradual rise over the next few months.
8. (SBU) Ambassador also inquired about the outstanding payments to U.S. energy companies in Pakistan such as Chevron
and AES. Asif noted that some money was recently released for payment and that he had discussed these outstanding debts
with Finance Minister Dar. They will have other money appropriated for payment as it becomes available to the
government.
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REGIONAL ENERGY PROJECTS
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9. (SBU) Turning to the pipelines, Ambassador reiterated U.S. objections to Pakistan's continued negotiations with Iran
on a natural gas pipeline. Asif also reiterated Pakistan's position that all possible sources of energy were being
considered due to the severity of the current energy crisis. He confirmed that discussions are scheduled in Islamabad
for the week of April 21 between himself and the Indian Petroleum Minister to discuss the tariff issues. Asif also noted
that discussions on the pipeline with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan (TAP) were scheduled April 23-24 and that
Turkmenistan is expected to present a certification of the available gas reserves.
10. (SBU) Ambassador also asked about the new government's commitment to the “CASA 1000” project which would bring 1000
MW of electricity to Pakistan's national grid at an interchange in Peshawar via exports from Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz
Republic. Asif was unfamiliar with the project but promised to inquire about the status within the GOP stakeholders.
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COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST
--------------------------
11. (SBU) Comment: The GOP sees that the current 4000 MW shortfall in energy needs is a critical issue facing Pakistan
and future economic growth. The new government seems committed to making the tough decisions which will be necessary to
plan and invest in major energy infrastructure projects but is also facing a severe cash crunch which could impede upon
such plans. Post looks forward to the next Energy Dialogue as a platform to have meaningful discussions with Pakistan on
potential avenues for U.S assistance and investment opportunities. End comment.
12. (SBU) Action Request: Post requests assistance in providing resources on energy efficiency to the GOP. In an effort
to be as responsive as possible, Post requests that SCA/PB gather materials from relevant agencies and send them to Post
electronically or via pouch. Post also requests that SCA and EEB discuss the possibility of funding a feasibility study
on the Thar coal fields with USTDA. End action request.
PATTERSON