PM urges coherent strategy to address energy challenges

Imran says Ravi Riverfront project will accelerate economic activities across Punjab

ISLAMABAD:

 Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that Pakistan needed to adopt a coherent and comprehensive strategy to address its energy challenges, adding that the implementation of the Exploration and Production Management System (EPMS) would enable low-cost utilisation of oil and gas reserves.

Chairing a meeting on the oil and gas exploration and production in the country, the prime minister said that the EPMS would reduce the burden on the national treasury and make it possible to supply oil and gas to the people at cheaper rates.

During the meeting, the petroleum secretary gave a detailed briefing on the EPMS to the prime minister, federal ministers Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz and the special assistants Nadeem Babar, Dr Shahbaz Gul and others.

The petroleum secretary told the participants that the implementation of the system would help enhance the local production capacity of oil and gas. He explained that the system would be based on a database, compiling information on oil and gas held by private companies as well as the companies under the supervision of the government.

The meeting was informed that the system would also help make the country’s oil and gas resources available to the public in an efficient and low-cost manner. Imran stressed that technology should be used in all sectors to reduce the additional burden of cost on the people and to prevent wastage by continuously using the old methods.

Ravi Riverfront project

Prime Minister Imran also chaired a review meeting on the progress made so far on the Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project. The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar, Chairman Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority Lt Gen (retd) Anwar Ali Haider, Punjab chief secretary, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman, Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) chairman and others.

After reviewing the progress made so far, Imran said that Ravi Riverfront project was a key project for rehabilitation of Lahore city, meeting the needs of growing population, alleviating water scarcity and accelerating economic activities across the province, including Lahore.

He said that the project would not only meet the needs of Lahore but would also create immense job opportunities and generate economic activities. He said that implementation of the plan within the stipulated timeline was a priority of the government.

Punjab Chief Minister informed the prime minister that keeping in view his vision and governmental priorities, the progress made in the project was being monitored at the highest level and the timely completion of the set targets would be ensured.

Meanwhile, Imran also met Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan and discussed development projects, especially China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.