ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday while discussing the current demand and supply of gas in the country directed the authorities concerned to ensure the fast-track issuance of licenses for domestic exploration for it was the cheapest source of natural gas.
The prime minister also instructed the relevant departments to remove hurdles in the process of installation of new LNG terminals and virtual pipeline projects by the investors. The meeting was briefed about the demand, supply from the domestic reserves, shortfall and Import of the LNG.
It was informed that the current constrained demand of gas in the country was 4700 MMCFD which increases to 6000-6500 MMCFD during the winter season. The current domestic supply amounts to 3300 MMCFD which is decreasing every year. The resulting shortfall has to be managed by importing LNG.
With the current infrastructure, a shortfall of nearly 1000 MMCFD in winter arises for which multiple options are being adopted. The meeting was told that for the short term, the existing capacity of domestic terminals is being optimized and the process of issuance of virtual pipeline licenses is expedited.
In addition, the installation of two new LNG terminals was underway with all bottlenecks being removed on a priority basis. In this regard Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Petroleum and OGRA were directed to coordinate and also take all other stakeholders on board including the investors.
In addition, the prime minister while emphasizing the importance of North-South Gas Pipeline, directed to ensure its execution without further delay in the agreed timelines.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Shaukat Fayyaz Tarin, Hammad Azhar, Asad Umar, Ali Haider Zaidi, SAPM Mahmood Maulvi and officials of the concerned departments.
Promotion of culture to boost country’s exports
Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday while stressing upon an export culture said that exporters showing performance in increasing country’s exports would be rewarded with the national civil awards.
“We need resilient exporters who will be rewarded with national civil awards as per their performance in increasing exports”, the prime minister said while chairing a meeting on developing an export culture in the country. He also directed ministry of commerce to develop a portal which could cater to complaints of exporters.
He also directed it to act as a catalyst for the achievement of sustained growth in exports, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.
“We have to develop an ecosystem and a culture that can increase exports and decrease our dependence on imports”, he stressed.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Energy Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Finance Minister Shaukat Fayyaz Tarin, Minister for Industries Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar, Minister for Information Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood and other senior officials concerned.
Moreover, the prime minister directed all the departments concerned to develop robust policies and transparency by using technology. Earlier Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood apprised that this year, they had achieved a record growth in exports after 10 years of stagnation. He stressed that it was a high time to bring an impetus to further increase their export target.
Universal health coverage in Punjab, ICT
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday witnessed the signing of an MoU between the Federal Government, Government of Punjab and State Life Insurance for implementation of Universal Health Coverage of Sehat Sahulat Program in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in a simple ceremony by Secretary National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Aamir Ashraf Khawaja, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Punjab Health Initiatives Management Company Ali Razaq and Chairman State Life Insurance Corporation of Shoaib Javed Hussain.
Special Assistant to PM Dr. Faisal Sultan, Minister for Health Punjab Dr. Yasmin Rashid and senior officials were present.
The prime minister had announced the Sehat Sahulat Program for all residents of Punjab in Lahore on 13th December, 2021.
Through this Social Health Protection Initiative, poor families will be provided with free of cost health insurance to secure indoor healthcare services worth Rs. one million per family per year from empaneled hospitals across Pakistan.
The services which will be available from Sehat Cards included open heart surgeries, insertion of stents, management of cancer, neurosurgical procures, burn management, accident management, dialysis, intensive care management, deliveries, C section and other medical / surgical procedures along with Kidney transplant.
The facility of Inter Provincial / Inter District Portability for availing free of cost services from any empaneled hospital in Pakistan was also admissible.
Pakistan’s Diamond Jubilee
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called for holding Pakistan’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in a befitting manner to highlight the country’s distinctive identity, culture and unique location.
“On the occasion of country’s 75th independence anniversary, there is a need to tell youth about the aim Pakistan’s creation and the true message of Allama Iqbal,” Imran Khan said while presiding over a meeting held here to review the preparations for Pakistan’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations 2022.
Federal Ministers Ch. Fawad Hussain, Shaukat Tarin, Special Assistants to PM
Dr Shahbaz Gill, Shahzad Nawaz and senior officers attended the meeting.
The prime minister said that Pakistan had been bestowed by Almighty Allah with all kinds of blessings, which required to be highlighted.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ch. Fawad Hussain briefed the prime minister in detail about the preparations for Pakistan’s Diamond Jubilee.
The meeting was told that the Golden Jubilee Celebrations will focus on highlighting country’s history, culture, national heroes, renowned women of Pakistan Movement, local sports, tourism, economy, Green Pakistan and relations with friendly countries through various events and documentaries.
