ISLAMABAD, March 11: The Foreign Office on Saturday announced that the US Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman would initiate the dialogue on enhanced energy cooperation with Pakistan on Monday.

“During Secretary Bodman’s visit, there will be a wide-ranging exchange of views on Pakistan’s energy needs and cooperation with the United States in this field,” a Foreign Office statement said.

The Pakistan side will be led by the foreign minister and would also include deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, secretaries foreign affairs, petroleum, and water and power as well as chairman of the Alternative Energy Development Board, it said.

The US Energy Secretary, who arrives here on Sunday, will be leading a seven member delegation for one-day deliberations at the foreign ministry, it is learnt. The delegation will comprise energy experts and senior officials.

On Monday, Secretary Bodman would hold a roundtable with private sector representatives. He would also call on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

The agreement for commencing Pakistan-US energy cooperation dialogue was reached during President Bush’s recent visit to Islamabad.