The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE), which met here at the PM Office on Wednesday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, decided to immediately notify a ban on import of furnace oil.
Besides the import of furnace oil, the issue of production and storage of furnace oil by the local refineries was also discussed during the meeting.
Underscoring the need for improved coordination among relevant departments and addressing governance issues in the energy sector, the prime minister emphasized upon the need for timely and accurate estimations about demand and supply in the energy sector so as to avoid any interruption in energy supply.
He said that a detailed plan, in consultation with refineries, regarding up-gradation of existing facilities and export of surplus furnace oil should be worked out on priority. He further said that policy on renewable energy should be finalized by January-end.
The prime minister was briefed in detail about demand and supply situation in the power sector, the projections of petroleum and power division for the next six months, the existing energy mix, availability and utilization of indigenous as well as imported gas and way forward towards addressing various issues related to the energy sector.
The meeting was also briefed about gas management plans of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for the winter season. It was informed that despite sudden drop of temperature and increased demand for gas, uninterrupted supply to domestic, commercial and zero-rated industries would be ensured during the current season. “Efforts were also being made to curtail the duration of gas load-shedding to other sectors such as compressed natural gas and captive power plants of general industries,” the PM was told
It was decided that the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) would be briefed in its next meeting, about the availability of urea stocks in the country and its pricing. It was also decided that a detailed plan would be worked out to ensure optimal utilization of RLNG terminals.
It was further decided that the Power Division would submit a monthly report to the CCoE about transmission and distribution losses and update on recoveries of receivables. The Ministry of Petroleum was directed by the CCoE to submit a detailed plan on reduction of losses due to the Unaccounted For Gas (UFG).
Separately, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday inaugurated a newly established shelter home in Islamabad.
As per the details, prime minister after inaugurating the shelter home inspected the facilities available there for the deprived section of the society.
The PM also ordered authorities concerned to start transportation facility in order to provide relief to the poor.
It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday inaugurated a shelter home in Peshawar.
The prime minister also inspected different sections of the shelter home which has a capacity to provide roof to 150-200 people.
The premier was told that uninterrupted supply of electricity had been ensured in the shelter home.
The government has already established shelter homes, a brainchild of the prime minister, in Lahore and Peshawar and intends to establish such facilities for the homeless in other big cities.
Published in Daily Times, December 27th 2018.
