ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed that net profit of electricity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amounting to Rs136 billion has been paid to the province.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Azam Swati told the House during question hour that remaining Rs37 billion will be paid in coming months.
He said the amount is determined through a formula settled between WAPDA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Responding to another question, the Minister said Neelum-Jhelum surcharge will end on 30th of June this year.
Minster for Power Omer Ayub said the government is committed to enhance production of renewable energy to twenty percent of the energy mix till 2025. He said with the increase of production of renewable energy the government will bring down the prices.
To another question regarding oil and gas exploration companies working in Sindh, the Minister told the House that a total of seventeen exploration and production companies are working in Sindh.
He said since August last year twelve exploration wells have been drilled in the province.
He said royalty and windfall levy collected during last five years from the oil reserves discovered in the country is Rs12.7 million.
The senate also passed a resolution reaffirming its strong commitment to the freedom of press and expression.
The resolution was moved by Leader of House Shibli Faraz on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day reiterated that access to transparent and reliable information is the corner stone to build fair and impartial institutions and hold leaders accountable. The resolution paid tributes to the journalists, editors and publishers for risking their lives in defense of public’s right to know. It paid salutes to the media martyrs who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
