Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Energy and Power Minister Nazir Ahmed Abbasi met on Thursday, with both sides stressing on need to address security concerns in province to boost exploration and production activities.
In a statement, the Petroleum Ministry said the meeting had discussed strategic energy issues, oil and gas supply, security of exploration and production activities, and the energy challenges faced by the province.
During the meeting, Malik briefed the KP minister on the prevailing oil supply situation and volatility in international petroleum markets. He highlighted pressures on the domestic energy sector due to developments in international markets and reiterated the federal government’s commitment to ensuring stable and uninterrupted energy supplies.
The minister also highlighted that the center, in coordination with security forces, was working on a comprehensive plan to ensure the security of Exploration and Production activities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. He emphasized that a secure operating environment is essential for sustaining and expanding exploration activities in the province.
KP’s Abbasi acknowledged the need to address security concerns to facilitate exploration and production operations, and assured full support and cooperation from the provincial government. Both sides agreed that enhanced coordination among the federal government, security forces and the provincial government was necessary to achieve a secure environment.
Both sides also agreed that enhanced exploration and production activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would not only strengthen Pakistan’s domestic energy security but also increase royalty revenues for the province. The KP minister highlighted that the success ratio of wells in the province is higher than the global average, underscoring the significant potential for further exploration and investment.
Discussing the gas challenges faced by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the federal minister explained that the ongoing war and resulting disruptions in international energy markets were placing pressure on gas supplies. He stated that once the situation improves, the supply and distribution arrangements could be reassessed in light of the prevailing circumstances.
The KP minister also proposed that the provincial government establish an LPG company to cater to the energy needs of people living in hilly and remote areas, utilizing the 10% LPG quota provided under the LPG Policy for such areas.
Officials from the Petroleum Division briefed the meeting on the LPG being allocated to hilly and forest areas and assured that specific details regarding the allocation and supply would also be shared with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government. Malik directed relevant officials of the Petroleum Division to closely coordinate with the KP Energy Department and facilitate the provincial government in addressing its energy related issues in every possible manner.
The federal minister also emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the government to facilitate the people and safeguard the interests of the state. He stressed that politics must not come in the way of public welfare and that all stakeholders should work collectively to resolve issues affecting the people.
Abbasi agreed with the approach, stating that the attitude of both governments should be to sit together, identify problems and find practical solutions to improve conditions for the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both the federal and provincial governments to enhanced coordination, greater investment in the energy sector, improved security for exploration and production activities and better energy access for the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.