POGEE opens at Expo Centre: Thar coal reserves to help resolve energy crisis: Murad

Sindh Minister for Energy Syed Murad Ali Shah said here on Thursday that the country's energy crisis could be resolved through Thar coal reserves. He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of 13th Pakistan Oil and Gas & Energy Exhibition (POGEE) which began here at Expo Centre on Thursday. Over 28 countries are showcasing their state-of-the-art oil and gas equipment and technology while China has displayed its various equipments and products in a pavilion at the exhibition.
Stressing the need for resolving the country's persisting energy crisis with utmost devotion and seriousness, he pointed out that there was not a single foreign investor in Thar Coal until a Chinese company set up a joint venture for power generation. He also complained that the federal government did not consult Sindh government while signing accords with Chinese government during recent visit of the Chinese president. Pointing out that of the country's total gas and oil production, Sindh was producing over 60 per cent, he said that natives had the first right on local resources. He said that events like POGEE provided an opportunity to the industry's professionals and experts to benefit from each others experiences.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association's chairman M Sami Khan expressed his reservations over the federal government's deal relating to liquefied natural gas (LNG). "It is the right of the general public to know details of the LNG agreements, including its price that has been agreed upon," he remarked. Sui Southern Gas Company's (SSGC) chief operating officer Shoaib Warsi said that 2nd terminal of LNG would be completed by the end of December this year and the country's gas shortage problem would be eased considerably with the supply of LNG.
He pointed out that the SSGC was catering to the needs of 2.6 million consumers in Sindh and Balochistan. Belgium's ambassador Peter Claes commented on the occasion that events like POGEE are much helpful in providing solutions to the energy issues. He said that his country was willing to extend technological assistance to help resolve Pakistan's energy crisis.
In his welcome address, Pegasus Consultancy's managing director Aamer Khanzada, said that the Pak-China Economic Corridor being built with a huge Chinese investment would prove to be a milestone in the country's history. Moreover, China's investment worth $34 billion in the country's energy sector for generating 10400MW by 2017-18 was highly commendable gesture on the part of Chinese government. Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry's (FPCCI) vice president Ikram Rajput also spoke on the occasion. A conference on "Integrated Solutions to Pakistan's Energy Needs", which is scheduled to be held on Saturday at the Expo Centre, is a part of the exhibition.