LAHORE, Aug 30: South Asia Regional Energy Coalition director Aram B. Zamgochain has said Pakistan should join the coalition to influence the regional energy policy.

Talking to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mian Misbahur Rehman and vice-president Shaikh Mohammad Arshad here on Tuesday, Mr Aram said promotion of an integrated South Asian energy market was the primary objective of SAREC.

He said a cooperation between business organizations of the region was necessary for achieving the objective. Support of the US Chamber of Commerce was also required because the SAREC was funded by the Usaid through its South Asia Regional Initiative for Energy Cooperation and Development.

He said the SAREC had partners in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. Pakistan was the only country in the region which had not joined the SAREC so far. It should join it to promote the concept of an integrated South Asian energy market, diversify traditional energy supplies, promote the expansion of indigenous energy resources and getting additional foreign investment for energy infrastructure development.