ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon has said that steps are underway to introducing CNG buses in the country which would cut down $700 million diesel import bill.

The minister was addressing a public meeting on the occasion of the inaugurating of the Pakistan State Oil New Vision outlet on the Abbottabad-Mansehra Highway on Saturday.

He said that 18 per cent oil requirement were only met through indigenous production and 50 per cent indigenous gas provide a substantial portion to meet the energy requirements of the country.

He said that the government was encouraging investors to promote the CNG sector at a pace aimed at providing cheap and environment-friendly fuel to the people.

He claimed that Pakistan ranked No1 in Asia and 3rd in the world in the CNG sector.

The minister said that construction of mega dams and water reservoirs were the lifeline of our country and 20,000mw electricity would be available from hydel projects till 2020.

He said that availability of electricity from the dams would considerably lower the power tariff.

He said that the government was making all-out efforts to provide basic amenities to the remote and far-flung areas on priority basis.

Mr Jadoon said that under the directives of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, provision of Sui gas, electricity and drinking water would be ensured in every nook and corner of the country by 2007.

He said that ongoing development projects in the country would help alleviate poverty, backwardness and unemployment from the areas and would bring them at par with the developed ones.

The minister called upon the people to be united and cooperate with the government in its efforts for the speedy completion of development projects.

He said that dual carriageway from Hassan Abdal to Mansehra would be built at a cost of Rs7 billion, and added that the completion of the project would provide a quick journey to the northern parts of the country and generate socio-economic activities to a greater extent.