Join hands to tackle energy issues: Gilani

ISLAMABAD – Calling energy an essential driver of Pakistan’s economy, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday announced the formation of a Government-Industry Energy Council to address the country’s energy issues and make recommendations to the government in this regard.
Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day “Pakistan Energy Conference, 2011” organised by Petroleum Institute of Pakistan, Gilani said the government could not tackle energy-related issues single-handedly and needed assistance of the industry to move forward. Gilani urged the major players of the industry to come forward and play a befitting role in the country’s development and the economic prosperity.
He said a team effort was required for a mutually rewarding and strategic partnership between the government and energy sector as he firmly believed that the industry was capable of turning the tide and delivering results. Gilani also expressed the hope that foreign investors and participants would facilitate technology transfer, form international joint ventures, and bring foreign investment to Pakistan’s energy industry.
“To achieve accelerated GDP growth, the economy needs reliable, uninterrupted, and affordable supply of energy,” he said, adding that Pakistan was facing an overwhelming task of bridging its energy demand and supply gap that was likely to double in the next 15 years unless attended urgently by all stakeholders, including the private sector and the government.
The prime minister emphasised finding new oil and gas reserves through aggressive exploration activities, optimising production from existing fields by applying cutting-edge technology, enabling gas imports from across the borders via regional pipelines and LNG shipments. He said development of local energy sources, including hydel projects and the Thar coalfields, also remained a high priority for the government.
The event also saw the formal launch of the 2011 Pakistan Energy Outlook Document.
‘Govt will discuss POL subsidy with all parties’
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the government would hold negotiations with all political parties over the issue of giving subsidies on petroleum prices to the masses before the announcement of the budget 2011-12.
“The only relief the government can give to the masses on petroleum prices is subsidy as it did not want to pass on the hike in petroleum prices in the international market to the people,” he said while responding to a question after inaugurating the three-day Energy Conference.
To another question, the prime minister said the issue of devolution of Higher Education Commission (HEC) would be resolved amicably. “The government is busy in resolving issues since its inception and I hope the issue of HEC will also be resolved amicably,” he added.
Asked about his meeting with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in London, he said the political leadership of the country was united on all national issues, adding that the nation was capable of resolving issues. He said that difference of opinion was a characteristic of democracy.
To a question regarding Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s rally in Lahore, the prime minister said the Pakistan People’s Party respected the mandate of all the other political entities.
Asked to comment on the statement of former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza that he was removed on MQM’s behest, Gilani said the statement was Mirza’s personal opinion, not the party’s point of view. Staff Report