March 11, 2006	Saturday	Safar 10, 1427

ISLAMABAD, March 10: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday energy needs of the country were increasing by 10-12 per cent per annum.

He was talking to CEO of British Petroleum Tony Haywar who called on him here at Prime Minister Secretariat, according to an official announcement.

The premier said the government was trying to increase the energy capacity of the country both by developing the indigenous resources as well by increasing import.

Mr Aziz said that negotiations were going on two gas pipeline projects — Iran, Pakistan and India pipeline and the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan pipeline. “We are hopeful about the outcome of the talks,” the prime minister said.

“We are trying to energize growth and are diversifying the sources of energy to increase capacity,” he added.

The prime minister said that there was a huge potential in the onshore and offshore exploration besides privatization of the state-owned oil and gas units.

He urged the CEO of British Petroleum to avail the opportunities offered by Pakistan and to look into the possibilities to enter into joint ventures with the public sector companies like OGDCL and PPL for the exploration and production in the country.

He asked the British company to bring new technologies to develop the oil and gas sector to its true potential.

Mr Tony informed the prime minister that his company would continue the promotion of oil and gas industry in Pakistan and had already submitted a bid for an offshore exploration block.

He said British Petroleum was also interested to take part in the privatization activities. He also showed keenness in renewable energy areas such as solar energy, wind and biomass energy.