MULTAN: US Consul General Colleen Crenwelge says the United States is proud of partnership with Pakistan for projects in Multan.

She was addressing the inaugural ceremony of a 42kw solar power system funded, installed and operationalised by the USAID at the Vocational Training Institute here on Tuesday.

According to a press release, the solar power system is sufficient for the entire institute and it would help save 32kw energy for minimum eight hours a day. This initiative will benefit more than 7,500 vocational and technical students over the period of 25 years.

“The United States is proud to partner with Pakistan in the advances being made in Multan,” Ms Crenwelge said.

“Whether it is through initiatives to improve students’ English language and job skills, provide uninterrupted electricity through a new solar power system, encourage new businesses or preserve important cultural heritage sites, the United States stands with Pakistan as we move together toward a more prosperous, peaceful future,” she added.

Consul General Crenwelge welcomed 250 Pakistani students to the two-year English Access Microscholarship Programme and inaugurated a new six-month English Works programme for 75 youth. Both programmes are funded by the US Department of State and are designed to equip participants with the English language and critical thinking skills that are essential in today’s job market.

The event also showcased the US government’s efforts to help the skilled but unemployed Pakistani youth benefit from career counseling services resulting in improved access, equity and employability.

The USAID-Punjab Youth Workforce Development Project addresses the unemployment concerns among youth, including 35pc women, through its result-oriented career counseling services to improve access, equity and employability. It has supported the establishment of eight career counseling centres (four each for males and females) at the Technical Education Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) institutes in the focus districts of south Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, Lodhran and Muzaffargarh.

Accompanied by former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani during visits to the shrine of Musa Pak Shaheed, Ms Crenwelge emphasized the US government’s long-standing commitment to protecting Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage. She also visited the shrine of Shah Rukn-i-Alam.

The US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation has provided more than $70,000 to restore shrines in Multan, including those of Musa Pak Shaheed and Shah Shams Tabraiz.

Consul General Crenwelge also met with Commissioner Imran Sikandar Baloch and members of the Multan Chambers of Commerce and Industry to discuss local political and economic conditions.

During her two-day visit to the city, Ms Crenwelge highlighted US-Pakistan cooperation on a range of issues and encouraged job skills development for Pakistan’s youth. She welcomed students to two new US government-funded English language programmes and distributed toolkits to help aspiring entrepreneurs start their businesses.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2019