PD steps approved by CCoE

NAVEED BUTT

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) discussed high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) demand for power plants in the country especially in the KE system, and approved the measures suggested by the Petroleum Division for ensuring required supplies of the product.

The CCoE met with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (PDSI) Asad Umar in the chair at P-Block Secretariat on Saturday. The CCoE discussed the proposals of the Petroleum Division regarding sustainable supply chain of LPG in the country and constituted a committee under Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Mohammad Jahanzeb Khan to prepare a plan of action within 15 days, which will be presented to the CCoE for approval.

The CCoE was also briefed on the current situation of 1,124 MW Kohala and 700 MW Azad Pattan Hydropower projects, and the signing of project agreement under policy for Power Generation projects 2002 and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. The cabinet committee approved the proposals submitted by the ministry for signing of the relevant agreements, and directed that other related matters such as timely availability of evacuation facilities may also be ensured. The committee emphasised that the cabinet’s decision relating to water usage charges, agreed with the Government of AJK, shall be adhered to. The meeting was attended by Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz, Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan, SAPM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar, SAPM on Mineral Resources Shahzad Qasim and official of various divisions.