April 26, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 27, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, April 25: Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon has said Pak-China Energy Forum will provide a road map for pursuing future cooperation.

This he said in his welcome address at the inaugural session of the three-day Pak-China Energy Forum here on Tuesday.

The minister said today’s first meeting of this forum with a large participation of Chinese companies manifested the sincerity of the farsighted vision of President Pervez Musharraf and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

He said the framework agreement on cooperation in energy sector signed last February during President Musharraf’s visit to China had provided the foundation for energy cooperation between the two friendly countries.

Mr Jadoon said the energy demand had increased in Pakistan and according to estimates, current energy requirement would enhance from 56 million tons oil equivalent to 360 million tons within the next 25 years. For meeting this additional requirement of energy to fuel our economic development in a sustainable manner, Pakistan needs an investment of $150 billion, he added.

He said Pakistan-China energy partnership would open new avenues of cooperation and greatly foster the bonds of deep rooted friendship.

All China Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice-Chairman Hu Deping, in his speech, appreciated the economic growth in Pakistan during the last few years.

He said Sino-Pakistan cooperation in the energy sector would help bring the two countries and their peoples more closer.