Good governance being introduced in energy sector, says petroleum minister

Ghulam Sarwar Khan says country will offer new blocks for oil, gas exploration

ISLAMABAD: The government is committed to facilitating potential investors keen on entering the Pakistani market under the directives and leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, said Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

Addressing a delegation of French businessmen, who were visiting Pakistan to attend an investment conference, the minister said the government was implementing good governance practices in the country’s energy sector, adding that they were engaged in efforts to mitigate energy crisis and meet future energy needs in the country.

He informed the delegation that his ministry and allied departments met 75% of Pakistan’s energy needs. He was of the view that for the country’s socio-economic development and to meet growing needs, it was necessary to secure safe and clean energy supplies.

To address such issues, the government was encouraging investment in the oil and gas sector, the minister added.

He emphasised that provision of cheap and environment-friendly fuel products was a priority of the current government, adding that major companies were investing in Pakistan’s transport, industrial and power sectors.

Khan said the government would offer new blocks to oil and gas exploration companies and the bidding process would be transparent, which would offer equal opportunities to potential investors.

During the meeting, the minister also highlighted some key aspects of Pakistan’s oil and gas market, including a robust oil and gas infrastructure spanning 18,500 km.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2019.

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