Centre, K-P review security of E&P activities

Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Energy and Power Minister Nazir Ahmed Abbasi met on Thursday to review energy supply and the protection of oil and gas exploration in the province, according to The Express Tribune. Malik said the federal government is preparing a comprehensive plan with the security forces to protect exploration work in K-P, arguing that a safe operating environment is essential for expansion. Abbasi accepted that security needs to be addressed and pledged full backing from the provincial government.

Both sides agreed that closer coordination between the federal government, security forces and the provincial administration would matter for a secure setting for such work. Malik also linked gas supply pressure to the ongoing war and disruptions in international energy markets, saying distribution arrangements could be reviewed once conditions improve. Abbasi argued that more exploration would strengthen national energy security and lift royalty income for the province, noting that the success rate of wells in K-P is above the global average.

Abbasi proposed that the province set up an LPG company to serve people in hilly and remote areas, using 10% of the LPG quota allotted for such areas under the LPG policy. Petroleum Division officials told the meeting that LPG is being allocated to hilly and forest areas, and that supply details would be shared with the K-P government.