Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani – APP (File Photo)
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday directed Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to totally revamp the oil and gas sector in a manner that helps in developing proper coordination among all the relevant institutions.The objective of this exercise, he mentioned, is to expand production and ensure better distribution of oil and gas among the consumers including industries.
The prime minister was talking to Dr. Asim Hussain, the newly appointed Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, who called on him here at Prime Minister House.
Gilani directed that a hydro carbon vision for the next 20 years should be developed and must include exploration and proper utilization of all the natural resources including Thar Coal.
He further directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to also prepare a short term two year vision to develop the existing facilities in the field of oil and gas to help resolve the problems of common man.
After a detailed meeting it was decided that all the managing directors of various oil and gas companies under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources will be immediately removed.
A new Board of Directors of all the companies and institutions under the ministry will be reconstituted. The Minister and the Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources will not be included in the BODs.
It was also decided that no new gas connection will be issued in any part of the country for the next six months under any circumstances.
The Sui Northern and the Sui Southern Gas companies will jointly form LPG Distribution Company for the country.
All officials in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources as well as all the organisations and companies under the ministry, who have attained 60 years of age or are on contract, will retire with immediate effect.
All court cases will be vigorously pursued to remove the impediments besides collection of pending dues as well as to resolve issues of exploration and distribution of oil and gas.
The prime minister asked Dr. Asim Hussain to take stern measures to ensure that circular debt does not accumulate any further, rather it should be substantially reduced.
He also asked him to rationalize the prices of petroleum products in the near future.
It may be mentioned that Dr. Asim Hussain will resume his charge of office on Monday as advisor to the prime minister.
