ISLAMABAD (APP) - The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum & Natural Resources has underlined the need to intensify exploratory activities for Oil and Gas to ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply of energy for accelerating the process of development in the country. The meeting was held here on Friday under the Chairmanship of Senator Sabir Ali Baloch, says a press release issued here. The meeting also called for exploiting the untapped potential of minerals particularly coal, copper, gemstones, which is presently facing neglect. Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Committee observed that sustainable supply of oil and gas is necessary for economic development. He said that the close coordination among the stakeholders particularly the ministry and major oil companies and corporations is of paramount importance to achieve the objective. The Committee directed the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources to prepare the policy framework in such a manner that it may promote fast track development of energy resources as well as attract investment in this vital sector. It also urged the major oil companies and corporations to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities particularly with regard to expansion of health and education facilities in their respective areas of operation. The meeting expressed its concern over continuously unresolved issue of circular debt, which is impeding healthy growth of power and energy sectors. The Chair in this connection suggested that a meeting should be convened in near future to sort out the issue with the ministries of Finance and Water & Power, wherein the Petroleum committee may act as a facilitator. The meeting was attended among others by Senator Muhammad Jehangir Badr, Dr Safdar Ali Abbasi, Nawabzada Mir Haji Lashkari Raisani, Dr Muhammad Ismail Buledi, Afrasiab Khatak, Shahid Hassan Bugti, Nawabzada Muhammad Akbar Magsi and Mir Mohabat Khan Mari besides the Ministers for Petroleum Naveed Qamar and senior officials of the Ministry, OGDCL, SSGPL, SNGPL, PSO etc.