Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Friday assured that the petroleum prices and taxes would be reviewed and fixed in accordance with the international market prices.
Addressing a press conference, he said that efforts would be made to improve local production of refined and crude petroleum products, which is presently at 15 percent against 85 percent of imports. He added the ministry would strengthen the role of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) to improve local production.
The minister said that Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) had discovered new oil reserves in Sanghar district of Sindh with production of 91 barrels per day.
Replying to a question, he said that all major agreements, particularly those which were hidden, would be examined and placed on ministry’s official website. He added the ministry would examine itself all such agreements before any step of National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Under the new policy, he said, no official would be allowed to hold acting or additional charge along in the ministry and attached companies. He added professionals would be appointed on all vacant posts through advertisement.
He said that in line with the policies of Prime Minister Imran Khan, efforts would be made to minimise expenditures to protect available resources, while steps would also be taken to further minimise line losses and other leakages in petroleum sector.
Sarwar added that efforts would be made for early start of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI) project.
He said the federal government was not moving ahead on the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project due to sanctions imposed on Iran.
Published in Daily Times, August 25th 2018.
