ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (PM) on Energy Nadeem Babar said on Thursday the government has decided to abolish various unnecessary regulations to facilitate investment in petroleum sector in Pakistan.
He was addressing a news conference along with Minster for Power Omar Ayub Khan and Special Assistant to the PM on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.
Babar said various initiatives, including policy reforms, were being introduced to ensure ease of doing business in petroleum sector.
Unveiling key decisions in five areas of petroleum sector, the Special Assistant on Energy said at present, 24 to 30 approvals were required in exploration and production, while 10 of them were being removed.
He said about 25 approvals were required for establishing a petrol pump, which were being reduced to seven. He said approvals for storage of petroleum products were also being decreased from 19 to six. Babar said tax exemptions would be offered for installation and up-gradation of refineries.
Giving detail of facilitation being introduced in Pipeline and Gas area, the Special Assistant said gas consumers would have 15 days for bill payment.
He said a public awareness campaign about usage of domestic gas in the winter would be launched in September. He said a mobile application and portal would be launched for registration and redressal of public complaints against gas companies.
Babar added provision of gas connection for industry within 30 days would be ensured. He said three oil and gas discoveries have been made over the last six months while two or three more were in the pipeline.
Regarding Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Nadeem Babar said a new policy has been prepared to increase domestic production of LPG and decrease its import. He said a pricing mechanism would also be introduced about LPG.
He said if any company intends to install Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in the country and it does not want to sell it to the government, it will not require any approval from the government.
