KARACHI: Minister for Petroleum and Natural Re­­sources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi dismissed doubts and rumours about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on Tuesday.

“The CPEC agreement is transparent and has no grey areas,” the minister said while talking to the media on the sidelines of the Pakistan Oil, Gas and Energy Exhibition at the Karachi Expo Centre.

He said the government is trying to maintain petroleum prices as it did not pass on the impact of rising oil prices to consumers.

Pakistan is a major consumer of furnace oil. Its use is being discouraged elsewhere in the world due to its bad impact on the environment.

The minister said the government is developing alternative energy sources, adding that the solar nergy sector has received tax incentives and duty cuts.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition, the minister said LNG consumption can increase manifold going forward. Mr Abbasi said he expects the share of LNG in the energy mix will rise over the next three years.

He said the government is trying to maintain gas prices to provide consumers with relief.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...