‘Energy sector should be given priority over fertiliser industry’
Minister for diverting more gas to power producers.
KARACHI:
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar said on Tuesday that the energy sector should be given priority over the fertiliser industry for gas supply. He said the former should focus on producing cheaper electricity to reduce power shortages and get rid of load-shedding in the country.
“There is a need for reprioritising gas distribution in the country. Fertiliser can be imported to meet domestic requirements; while the energy sector can get cheaper gas to produce electricity which is badly needed by domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors,” he said. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 10th Oil and Gas Exhibition (POGEE), the 7th Safe & Secure Pakistan Exhibition and the 1st International Transport and Logistics Exhibition.
He said that electricity can be generated at a cost of Rs4 per unit using natural gas. This cheaper electricity can reduce the cost of production in the country and cut imports of furnace oil, he claimed. The minister also underlined the need for utilising alternate energy resources to generate electricity.
He pointed out that overseas Pakistanis can play a vital role in the housing sector and oil and gas exploration in the country. “Overseas Pakistanis are helping the country by remitting more than $12 billion every year,” he stated.
Dr Sattar noted that, in the present times, the economy dictates politics; therefore, an integrated approach is required to improve the country’s economy. The sovereignty of a country is dependent on a sustainable economy, he added.
Ambassador of the Czech Republic, who was also present on the occasion, said that leading Czech companies have put high-tech machine tool products and hydro-electric power plants on display. He said Czech companies can provide cheaper solutions for handling the energy crisis.
Organiser Aasim Siddiqui, in his welcome address, said that leading companies from 30 countries including China, Germany, USA, UAE, Iran, India, Italy and Qatar are displaying the latest products at about 300 stalls in the exhibition.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2012.
Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar said on Tuesday that the energy sector should be given priority over the fertiliser industry for gas supply. He said the former should focus on producing cheaper electricity to reduce power shortages and get rid of load-shedding in the country.
“There is a need for reprioritising gas distribution in the country. Fertiliser can be imported to meet domestic requirements; while the energy sector can get cheaper gas to produce electricity which is badly needed by domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors,” he said. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 10th Oil and Gas Exhibition (POGEE), the 7th Safe & Secure Pakistan Exhibition and the 1st International Transport and Logistics Exhibition.
He said that electricity can be generated at a cost of Rs4 per unit using natural gas. This cheaper electricity can reduce the cost of production in the country and cut imports of furnace oil, he claimed. The minister also underlined the need for utilising alternate energy resources to generate electricity.
He pointed out that overseas Pakistanis can play a vital role in the housing sector and oil and gas exploration in the country. “Overseas Pakistanis are helping the country by remitting more than $12 billion every year,” he stated.
Dr Sattar noted that, in the present times, the economy dictates politics; therefore, an integrated approach is required to improve the country’s economy. The sovereignty of a country is dependent on a sustainable economy, he added.
Ambassador of the Czech Republic, who was also present on the occasion, said that leading Czech companies have put high-tech machine tool products and hydro-electric power plants on display. He said Czech companies can provide cheaper solutions for handling the energy crisis.
Organiser Aasim Siddiqui, in his welcome address, said that leading companies from 30 countries including China, Germany, USA, UAE, Iran, India, Italy and Qatar are displaying the latest products at about 300 stalls in the exhibition.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2012.