Petroleum Minister, Sarwar Khan, while speaking to local media on Friday, said that the price of petroleum products in Pakistan would from now onwards be in line with the international prices of these products.

He also said that tax structure on petroleum products would be followed at par with global practices.

Addressing a press conference, he said that the ministry will particularly review the price of diesel and make its price at par with the price of petrol which was cheaper then petrol before 2004 and now its price is higher than the petrol. 

He said that efforts will be made to improve the local production of refined and crude petroleum products which is presently at 15 percent against 85 percent of imports. 

He added the ministry will strengthen the role of OGDCL to improve local production. 

With regard to the way forward for meeting our rising energy needs, he informed the media that the government was actively working on new oil discoveries, and said that the recent discovery of hydrocarbons by Pakistan Petroleum Limited was a good omen for the country.

He said that Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has discovered new oil exploration of 23 Million Cubic Feet per Day (MMCFD) at District Sanghar of Sindh with production of 91 barrels per day. The country has rich oil resources, which will be focused on and explored in coming days for improving local production. 

In response to a question, he said that all major agreements particularly those which were hidden will be examined and placed on ministry’s official website. He added the ministry will examine itself all such agreements before any step of National Accountability Bureau (NAB). 

He said that under new policy, in future none of the officials will be allowed to hold duplicate, acting or additional charge along with actual charge in the ministry and attached companies. 

He added professionals will be appointed on all vacant posts through advertisement. He said that in line with the policies of Prime Minister Imran Khan, efforts will be made to minimize the expenditures to protect the available resources while steps will also be taken to further minimize the line losses and other leakages in petroleum sector. 

He further added there will be zero tolerance regarding corruption at any level and all additional official vehicles have to return back to the ministry by its officials manly high-ranking in the ministry or attached companies. 

He said that efforts will be made for early start of Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI) project.

“As could be expected, the incoming government will be reviewing all LNG projects in the country,” he said.

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