The government will soon announce the new gas policy in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of energy to both industrial and domestic consumers, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Wednesday.
Addressing a meeting that reviewed future energy needs of the country, he said to sustain the present momentum of economic growth, meet rising energy demands and provide electricity to all by 2007 the government has chalked out a comprehensive strategy.
Elaborating, Shaukat Aziz informed the meeting attended among others by PM"s energy adviser Mukhtar Ahmad and Planning Commission deputy chairman Akram Sheikh, the strategy included intensive exploration of gas within the country and its import, enhance power generation as well as encouraging use of alternate energy resources.
"We need more storage capacity so that we can not only meet our growing energy demands but also cater to our irrigation needs", the Prime Minister said.
The government would provide alternate energy from solar and windmill resources to those areas which cannot be provided electricity through the main Wapda grid, as it is committed to provide electricity to every village by 2007, he emphasised.
Shaukat Aziz said that Under the Khushhal Pakistan Programme necessary resources would be provided to meet this target at all cost.
The Prime Minister was informed during the meeting that in compliance of the policy of the government, as many as 9467 villages have been electrified during the year and the remaining villages would be provided electricity by 2007.
Shaukat Aziz was also informed that 12202 tube-well connections have been given to farmers during the year and that 11200 tube-wells will be given connection next year.
The Prime Minister said that agriculture is the backbone of our economy and the farmers need necessary inputs at reasonable costs. He directed the authorities concerned that supply of electricity and gas for industry be streamlined so that energy inputs are made available in a prompt seamless manner.
Shaukat Aziz said that the government has reviewed the policy for allocation of gas, with a view of ensuring uninterrupted supply for industrial as well as domestic use and shall soon announce a new gas policy.
Private and public sector investments will be encouraged for setting up new projects both in the hydel as well as the thermal sector for electricity generation, he said.