ISLAMABAD, Feb 1: Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam on Tuesday said a comprehensive policy package for promotion and financing of renewable energy sector would be unveiled in the last week of the current month.

He was speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of a two- day workshop on "Renewable Energy Sector under World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Plan of Implementation" organized by the environment ministry.

"This policy will allow the public and private sector organizations to tap the available renewable energy sources in the country," Malik Amin said. He said promotion of renewable energy sector was the focus area for development in future, as it had enormous economic and environment related benefits attached with it.

Mr Aslam said presently there had been a firm global commitment to introduction of alternative fuel and energy sources due to a sharp increase in the oil prices and the environment hazards associated with the use of fossil fuels.

He said the recent shift in the climatic patterns the world over had warned the industrialized countries to seriously tackle this issue and efforts were now underway for introducing non- traditional energy forms i.e. wind energy, solar energy, hydel power etc.

He said after February 16 when the Kyoto Protocol will come into force, a real impetus would be provided to the renewable energy sector. He added Pakistan had already ratified the Kyoto Protocol under which limits were being placed on green house gases emissions.

Malik Amin said: "Due to lack of finances, institutional capacity and technical knowledge, we have been unable to fully explore this sector but now with the formation of an implementing agency for promotion of renewable energy better results are expected."

He further said with the new policy on renewable energy sector being introduced, ample opportunities to explore various renewable energy sources would be available and private sector would also be facilitated to participate in this area.