ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday directed the PetroleumDivision to submit a comprehensive plan to put an end to gas theft in thecountry, causing a whooping annual loss of Rs. 50 billion to the nationalexchequer.

Chairing a briefing here at the Prime Minister Office, Imran Khan sought acomprehensive plan of action with delineated time-lines to be submitted atthe earliest to address the issues pertaining to the oil and gas sector.

The meeting attended by Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan,Additional Secretary Incharge Petroleum Division Mian Asad Hayaud Din andsenior government officers was briefed by the Additional Secretary Inchargein detail, about the existing situation vis-à-vis demand and supply in theoil and gas sector.

The Prime Minister was also apprised about the progress on construction andoperationalization of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India(TAPI) and Pakistan-Iran gas pipelines along with other ongoing majorprojects to meet the growing energy needs of the country.

The Secretary also highlighted various issues including rationalization ofgas sale prices, recovery of receivables, non implementation and frequentaltering of policies that lead to erosion of investors’ confidence andnon-awarding of exploration blocks over the past five years. – APP