WASHINGTON, June 27: The US-Pakistan energy talks, held in Washington this week, may lead to a substantive US assistance in developing the country’s coal reserves. “We discussed the possibility of commercialisation of Thar,” Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Mukhtar Ahmed told a briefing in Washington after his talks with a US energy team in Washington on Monday.

“We are interested in coal-mining and power-generation and also in the development of coal-bed methane potentials,” he added. “The talks focused on technology transfer and we identified the areas where we want help.”

Pakistan has the world’s fourth or fifth largest coal deposits but coal’s contribution to the country’s total energy supplies is only 8 per cent.

“The Americans have a vast experience in producing energy from coal and we want to benefit from their experience,” said Mr Ahmed. We need clean coal technology from them and also the coal gasification technology.”

Mr Ahmed, who also met US Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman on Monday, conveyed Pakistan’s interest in developing civilian nuclear technology as well.

Another major issue of the US-Pakistan energy talks was the development of hydel-energy. Pakistan so far utilises only 16 per cent of its hydel potential and is looking for US assistance to further develop this sector.

Also came under discussion was Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. “We told them that not only Pakistan but the entire region will benefit from this pipeline,” he said. Like on the nuclear issue, the Americans did not respond to Pakistan’s suggestions.

The Pakistani delegation presented a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s energy needs for the next 20 years. “And we received assurances of across the board assistance from the Americans,” said Mr Ahmed who led the Pakistani delegation in these talks.

Asked to explain his priorities in seeking US assistance, Mr Ahmed said: “Development of coal reserves and alternative energy, import of gas from Central Asia, development of the power sub-sectors and improving the way we utilise energy in Pakistan.” He said the US was also helping Pakistan in its effort to import electricity from Central Asia.

On Monday afternoon, the Pakistani delegation met representatives of major US companies interested in investing in the energy sector.

Some companies urged the delegation to increase the 36-dollar ceiling placed on gas prices in Pakistan.