Exploration reviewed in Balochistan

Islamabad: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani chaired a high-level meeting here in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources. Balochistan Finance Minister Aslam Kurd, Balochistan Chief Secretary Nasir Mohammad Khosa, Petroleum Acting Secretary G.A. Sabri, and other officials of the petroleum ministry attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed the progress of IPI gas pipeline project as well as removing the bottlenecks in exploration of oil and gas in Balochistan.

A detailed presentation on both the issues was given by G.A. Sabri. He told the meeting that as per Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Balochistan will be fully taken on board on the IPI project.

After reviewing details of the security issues of the various exploration licenses in Balochistan, the chief minister informed that in most of the blocks, there was no law and order problem and that the Balochistan government will provide fool-proof security for undertaking the exploration activity by the companies.

The chief minister noted that Balochistan has huge untapped oil and gas potentials and directed to expedite the activity, which is in mutual economic interest of the provincial government.

He cleared a number of areas for starting the exploration work and advised the provincial chief secretary to hold a detailed meeting on August 22 with the operating companies in the areas to sort out their operational problems.

The petroleum acting secretary said the chief minister for his visit to the province and stated that as a result of keen interest being taken by him, the blocks, which had been lying dormant for many years will be opened as well as other companies will also be encouraged to participate in the exploration activities.