Governor calls for comprehensive plan to address KP energy issues

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has directed the Energy and Power Department to prepare a comprehensive working paper outlining key issues, ongoing projects and future requirements of the sector to enable effective engagement with the federal government for sustainable solutions.
He issued the directives while chairing a meeting on the Energy and Power Department, attended by Adviser on Energy Usman Saifullah Khan, Secretary Energy Muhammad Zubair Khan and other relevant officials, said a handout.
During the meeting, the secretary briefed the governor on the department’s affairs, ongoing development projects, issues with the federal government, outstanding net hydel profit (NHP) payments and other matters relating to the energy sector.
The meeting reviewed progress and challenges facing several hydropower projects, including the 94-megawatt Gabral-Kalam, 470MW Kurram Tangi and 229MW Kaidam power projects, as well as the Pehur project.
Participants also discussed issues affecting the province’s oil and gas sector, excise duty on gas, the 2016 LPG policy, allocation of the 10 per cent LPG quota and the provision of 100 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas to the industrial sector.
Governor Kundi directed the department to formally write to the federal government regarding outstanding NHP payments and take effective measures for their resolution.
He said the provincial government would maintain effective coordination with the Centre to address energy-related issues and safeguard the province’s rights.
The meeting was also briefed on challenges facing gas blocks in Orakzai, Tirah and Miranshah, along with other projects.
The governor said the relevant matters would be taken up with federal institutions to secure the province’s legitimate rights and resolve outstanding issues concerning gas and other energy resources.
Emphasising the need to utilise local resources to promote industrial development, Mr Kundi said greater investment in the industrial sector could help create employment opportunities and enable the province to benefit more effectively from facilities secured from the federal government.
He stressed the importance of developing the necessary industrial infrastructure to make better use of the province’s energy resources and support economic activity.