HYDERABAD: US Consul General in Karachi Brian Heath has said that the USAID has launched Pakistan centres for advanced studies (PCAS) programme this year that supports applied research, curriculum development and academic exchanges.

He was speaking at a reception hosted in his honour by district administration at DC house the other day.

The consul general said the US was committed to helping people of Pakistan particularly in the sectors of education, health and energy. A number of programmes were being implemented in these sectors.

He said that through the USAID, the US was working on a comprehensive education programme in Pakistan, especially in Sindh, particularly for students enrolment in schools, their assessment and teachers training.

He said the USAID increased access to higher education through scholarships for deserving students and supported quality of higher education through the PCAS.

These partnerships sought to introduce innovative solutions to Pakistan`s development challenges, he said.

He said the US was committed to working with Pakistan towards a brighter future for people. To help Pakistan in energy crisis was one of US`s top assistance priorities and together the two were working on important energy projects, he added.

Earlier, Hyderabad Commissioner Syed Asif Hyder Shah in his address of welcome said Hyderabad was a vibrant district having high standard of education and rich cultural diversity.

He said the city had potential to attract foreign and local investors because it was comparatively more peaceful than other parts of the country.

Sindh Minister Fisheries and Livestock Jam Khan Shoro, MNAs Amir Ali Shah Jamote, Syed Wasim Hussain, MPAs Zubair Ahmed, Rashid Khilji, Dilawar Hussain, officers and notables were also present.