Gilani for comprehensive strategy to meet energy needs
ISLAMABAD, Jun 29 (APP) Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to prepare a comprehensive strategy to meet energy needs of the country.Prime Minister Gilani also called for formulating a comprehensive policy for short and long term measures besides preparation and announcement of a Gas Load Management Plan for the country.Talking to Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain here at PM House the Prime Minister reiterated government’s commitment to explore all possible options to ensure availability of electricity and gas in the country.He expressed confidence that besides tapping indigenous sources, agreements with other regional countries to meet our energy needs would bear positive results.
Earlier the Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources briefed the Prime Minister on his recent visit to Iran and his meeting with the Iranian Minister for Energy.
He apprised the Prime Minister that 1100 KM of gas pipeline on the Iranian side has been completed while the progress on the IPI Gas Pipeline Project on the Pakistani side which began on May 9 was satisfactory.
Regarding import of electricity from Iran, he mentioned that an Iranian team of experts would be arriving in Pakistan soon to assess the details of the project particularly establishing connection with the national grid.
The Minister also briefed the Prime Minister on the progress on LNG Terminal.  He mentioned that work on KPD (Kunner Pasaki Deep) has started and 100 MMCF of gas will be available from October this year.
He said 17 international bidders have shown Expression of Interest in supply of energy and gas to Pakistan.The prominent companies in this regard, he said, include Shell, Vital, GDF, Norwegian Fund and Daewoo Group.
The Minister also discussed the gas price rationalization prospects and also assured the Prime Minister that gas load management plan for the country would be announced soon.