Wednesday, May 7, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 30, 1429    

Steps being taken for investment in oil, gas

Islamabad—Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said the government is taking steps to attract more investment in power generation, oil and gas sector.
“We look forward for more investment and support from Saudi government in these sectors, said the minister while talking to the Saudi Ambassador Ali S.Awadh Asseri, who called on him here Tuesday.
They discussed matters pertaining to energy cooperation towards energy development between the two countries.
The minister informed the envoy the huge potential of coal deposits and the steps were being taken by the government for the utilization of 185 billion tonnes coal deposits of the country.
He also sought Saudi cooperation and investment so that huge coal deposits could be utilized for power generation and gasification. He said that the government would soon be able to put the country on track of economic development and resolve issues like power shortage, law and order situation and wheat shortage in the country.
Referring to close ties between the two brotherly Muslim countries, they agreed to further cement the already existing relations especially in the fields of power generation, oil and gas. The ambassador felicitated the minister for assuming his new responsibilities as Federal minister.—APP