By Naveed Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: In a significant stride towards energy independence, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar presided over the Petroleum Conference 2024 as chief guest here on Tuesday. The conference drew a distinguished audience, including Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, Provincial Chief Ministers, Minister for Energy, Secretary Petroleum, and a diverse group of international and domestic investors from the Energy and Petroleum sector.
Prime Minister Kakar’s address carried a strong emphasis on Pakistan’s vast natural resources, particularly its untapped onshore and offshore oil and gas reserves. He underscored the necessity for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to harness these resources effectively. The government, he announced, is fully committed to providing support in terms of infrastructure development, logistics, and security to boost exploration and production efforts.
The conference, representing a collective commitment, aimed to leverage Pakistan’s mineral potential to achieve energy self-sufficiency and position the nation as a regional energy exporter. Prime Minister Kakar expressed optimism about transforming the country’s energy landscape through strategic partnerships and shared responsibilities.
Acknowledging the role of facilitators, Prime Minister Kakar commended the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Federal Ministry of Energy for their efforts in creating an investor-friendly environment. This was achieved through the streamlining of regulations and procedures, fostering an atmosphere conducive to increased investments in the petroleum sector.
International recognition was not far behind, with Mr. Ali Taha Al-Temimi, Country Manager of Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company, appreciating the relentless commitment of the Pakistani government in bringing together diverse stakeholders. Al-Temimi specifically highlighted the collaborative approach in formulating policy recommendations, providing a positive signal to potential investors.
This conference emerges as a crucial juncture in Pakistan’s pursuit of energy self-sufficiency, signaling a united front in transforming its energy landscape and capitalizing on natural resources for sustainable development. The discussions and commitments made during this event are poised to shape the trajectory of Pakistan’s energy sector in the coming years.
