ISLAMABAD: In a bid to ease the energy crisis Pakistan, the US Congress has released $280 million in new US assistance to support the country’s energy sector.

The funds will support improvements to Mangla Dam and infrastructure support and due diligence work on the Kurram Tangi Dam project.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday Mark Stroh, spokesperson for the US Embassy, said that the $280 million fund had no link with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently inked between Pakistan and the US for resumption of Nato supply to US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stationed in Afghanistan.

According to a press release issued by the US Embassy here Friday, relieving Pakistan’s energy crisis is a top priority for the US civilian assistance program.

The US approach consists of high-impact projects aimed at increasing Pakistan’s energy resources and helping power sector institutions more effectively meet the country’s energy needs, it said.