'Six companies keen to establish oil refineries in KPK'

ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) - The Senate was Friday informed that six companies have shown interest to set up oil refineries in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).

Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal told the House during question hour that these companies are from UAE, Switzerland and Pakistan.

He said the federal government in cooperation with the provincial government is facilitating private sector and hoped that soon progress will be made in this regard.

He said average daily oil production from Kohat, Karak and Hangu districts of KP during the current financial year is 43,299 barrels.

Answering a question, Jam Kamal said the matter is being taken up with the elders of Darra Adamkhel for natural gas supply project through a written agreement ensuring the remaining villages will not obtain illegal pipeline network and those villages covered in the approved meterage will pay their monthly bills regularly.

He said after assurance from the elders of the area, SNGPL will take the project forward.

Responding to a calling attention notice moved by Saleem Mandviwala regarding depleting water resources in the country particularly in Balochistan, Minister of State for Water and Power Abid Sher Ali told the House that the federal government will provide resources to Balochistan for resolving the issue water scarcity.

He said it is fact that the water resources are depleting in the country and there is a need to build water reservoirs. He said it is a serious issue and the government is taking steps in this regard.