KHAIRPUR, Feb 14: US Ambassador Richard Olson has said that the United States will continue to build a long-term partnership with Pakistan by extending cooperation in development of several key areas.

Speaking at various places during his visit to Khairpur on Thursday Ambassador Olson said `the United States is committed to strengthening the foundation upon which the Pakistani people can build a more prosperous future.

He said Washington was working with Islamabad to build the Jacobabad Institute of Medical Sciences (JIMS), rebuild flood-damaged schools, train teachers, help women start livestock businesses and assist date farmers in exporting their products.

`I am also pleased that we are supporting projects that will bring electrical power to over 500,000 families in this region,` he said, adding that through these and other projects, the US would continue to build a long-term partnership with Pakistan into the future.

Mr Olson, along with US Consul General in Karachi Michael Dodman and other members of his delegation, is on a visit to certain areas of upper Sindh.

The US delegation visited Jacobabad, Sukkur, Khairpur and surrounding areas, and also laid the foundation stone of the JIMS, a $10 million project funded by the USAID (US Agency for International Development) on Wednesday.

The ambassador met local leaders, the faculties and students of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Sukkur, the Sukkur Public School, and the IBA Community College, besides members of civil society, businessmen community, the media and elite of the areas.

Ambassador Olson also visited the shrine of great Sufi poet Sachal Sarmast at Daraza Sharif and interacted with numerous people to understand the Sindh culture. He alsoreceived briefings about US-funded projects in education and health sectors. Sukkur Commissioner Mohammad Abbas Baloch and Sajjada Nasheen (custodian) of the Sachal Sarmast Sakhi Qabool Mohammad shrine presented traditional gifts and books on Sachal Sarmast to the US ambassador.

Mr Olson acknowledged the hospitality of the people of Sindh and said Sindh was the land of Sufi saints preached peace, love and brotherhood.

The US delegation also attended a musical programme held at the Sama Hall of Dargah Sachal Sarmast.

CM fetes US delegation Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah hosted a reception for US Ambassador Richard Olson, Consul General Michael Dodman and other members of their delegation at the Khairpur Gymkhana on Thursday.

Mr presented books on the history of Khairpur and date palm production in the region, besides the traditional gifts of Ajrak and Topi, to the distinguished guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shah recounted achievements of the Pakistan People`s Party during its current tenure and said it would continue to serve the masses after retaining powers in the upcoming general elections. Later, the chief minister inaugurated the Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Park laid at a cost of Rs73.5 million in the city and a PSR Lab established at a cost of Rs4.8 million at the City Hospital.

He said the Sindh government had carried out record development works in the province and paid special attention to the education and health sectors.

Provincial ministers Manzoor Hussain Wassan, Jam Mehtab Ali Dahar and Abdul Haq Bhurt, several lawmakers and others were also present.