April 09, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 2, 1429

ISLAMABAD, April 8: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that the government will promote more local LPG production and the setting up of LPG auto gas stations for vehicles in the country.

Speaking at the 2nd annual LPG conference and exhibition organised by the LPG Association of Pakistan (LPGAP) in Islamabad, he said the LPG auto gas stations would be promoted to facilitate vehicle owners in procuring the product in a safe and professional environment. The ministry would work to attract investment in the sector and protect the consumers’ interest.

Mr Asif said that the Ogra rules governing the establishment of auto gas stations would be revised in consultation with the industry, says a press release of LPGAP.

The minister said the local LPG production could be increased by 900 tons per day or by over 50 per cent thereby helping ease the country’s energy crisis with the availability of affordable product.

Chairman LPGAP Iqbal Ahmed said the government must evolve a long- term pro-industry and a pro-consumer policy.

Sohail Quraishi, CEO of SHV Pakistan, said the previous government’s policy to equate local LPG prices with the international prices had created a crisis in the LPG sector. He emphasised the need for adherence to strict safety standards to protect the consumers and the corporate brand names.