Minister for Petroleum apprises the Prime Minister progress to overcome the energy shortfall

Islamabad:  June 02, 2012
 Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Petroleum called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here today at the PM House and apprised him of the developments in the petroleum sector and measures being taken to fulfill deficiency in primary energy, gas and oil.   
In the meeting, various projects in the sector being lunched by the Government of Pakistan were also reviewed. 
The Petroleum Minister informed the Prime Minister about the acquisition of pro-gas LPG Terminal by SNGPL and SSGC, the early installations of Synthetic Air Gas plants in the country and availability of cylinders to common people by state owned companies.
 He further said the progress in the LNG Terminal was reviewed and the Prime Minister directed that these terminals should start functioning as soon as possible.  The Prime Minister directed that the required permission should be obtained from relevant agencies and the LNG offered by Qatar of two million tons per year should be pursued vigorously. 
The Prime Minister directed that exploration activities of oil and gas be expedited and foreign investors like Kuwait be encouraged pro-actively. 
The Prime Minister congratulated the PPL for acquiring a block in Iraq through international competitive biddings.
  The Prime Minister further directed that Pakistani companies should explore and secure Pakistan’s energy needs outside the country as well. 
The Prime Minister also inquired about the progress of “Zhin Block” Balochistan having huge potential in gas.
 The Prime Minister directed that relevant authorities be contacted quickly aimed at holding the meeting of Council of Common Interest to accord approval to the Petroleum Policy 2012 and to award blocks on international bidding by holding road shows all over the world.
The Minister for Petroleum apprised the Prime Minister on the progress of TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) adding that in case Afghanistan does not take its volume then Pakistan should buy the same to overcome the energy shortfall in the country. 
In the meeting, progress on IP Line (Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline) was also reviewed.
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