US embassy: New building inaugurated

ISLAMABAD:

US Ambassador Richard G Olson inaugurated the new building of the US embassy in Islamabad at a ceremony, said a press release issued here on Friday.

Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Daniel Feldman and US State Department Director for Overseas Building Operations Casey Jones, Pakistani government officials and foreign diplomats were also present.

Olson said, “As we dedicate our new US embassy in Pakistan, let us also re-dedicate ourselves to promoting peace and continuing mutual understanding between our two countries. This building represents a venue where Pakistanis and Americans can continue to come together to build a better future for both our countries”.

The construction on the building began in 2011 and it was completed at a cost of $85 million.

The new embassy building incorporates numerous features designed to protect the environment, including an array of solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and architectural sunshades to reduce heat in the building. An on-site waste water treatment plant allows water to be recycled for irrigating landscaping throughout the campus and local plants were used throughout the grounds to discourage erosion and maintain the original topography.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2015.