Gas exploration: Minister calls for addressing security issues

Shahid Abbasi says it was good sign that a number of new companies were also aspiring to invest in energy sector

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Saturday that investment in the oil and gas sector of the country was on the rise, but there was a need to address security issues.

Talking to a television channel, he said it was a good sign that a number of new companies were also aspiring to invest in the energy sector. He said there was a need to make gas discoveries in the country and the present government was making efforts to meet consumers’ demand.

“We need to address security issues and increase domestic exploration,” he said. Framing long-term policies was also necessary, he said. “We need to introduce rational and stable policies then we can we expect more investment in the energy sector.”

He said work would soon start on an ultra-deep well in the Indian Ocean.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2015.