Gas sector reforms: Pakistan govt, World Bank discuss roadmap

The Pakistan government and the World Bank on Thursday discussed a proposed roadmap for gas sector reforms, with a focus on long-term sustainability, efficiency improvements, and structural changes, the Petroleum Ministry said.

The discussion took place during a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolormaa Amgaabazar.

According to the Petroleum Ministry, the World Bank country director appreciated the Petroleum Division for resolving the long-standing issue of surplus liquefied natural gas (LNG), describing it as a complex challenge.

She reaffirmed the World Bank’s continued support for gas sector reforms and expressed readiness to cooperate on reforms in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector and capacity building of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

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The ministry stated that the World Bank is already collaborating with the Petroleum Division to develop a comprehensive roadmap for gas sector reforms, encompassing measures to enhance efficiency and performance in the gas sector, as well as options related to the unbundling of the Sui gas companies.

Minister Malik thanked the World Bank for acknowledging the government’s efforts and said that input from international partners was valuable in shaping effective and sustainable policy reforms. He reiterated the government’s commitment to structural and institutional reforms aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the gas sector.

According to the ministry, the minister also highlighted improving air quality as a government priority, noting that efforts to enhance fuel standards were underway, which would require upgrades to Pakistan’s refineries.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration to support energy sector reforms and Pakistan’s broader sustainable development goals, the Petroleum Ministry said.