The World Bank unanimously approved on Tuesday the Dasu hydro electric power project and in a surprise move for Pakistan the United States also voted in favour.
The US administration had earlier warned Pakistan that due to congressional constraint, they would prefer to abstain, although they support the plan.
On Monday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar telephoned US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and requested him to vote for Dasu, arguing that the support would not only help Pakistan complete this project but would also strengthen the government’s efforts to deal with the country’s agonising energy crisis.
The Pakistan Embassy in Washington also played a key role in winning over the US endorsement, lobbying Congress, the White House and the State Department.
Earlier, all 25 members of the World Bank’s executive board met in Washington to consider Pakistan’s request for financial support for the project.
