ISLAMABAD, May 28: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday directed the petroleum ministery to expedite the import of Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

He was talking to Dr. Asim Hussain, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, who called on him at the Prime Minister House here.

The minister apprised the Prime Minister about the progress regarding the procurement of LNG and LPG to overcome energy deficiency in the country.

He informed the Prime Minister that work was in full swing regarding the drilling of new gas fields in Rajanpur.

The matter relating to appointment of new managing director and new members of the board of directors of the Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL) came under discussion.

Trade with India

Earlier at a meeting with the visiting Indian delegation, Dr Asim Hussain said that there was potential for trade in petroleum products between India and Pakistan, and initiation of talks would prove to be a step in the right direction.

The Indian delegation is visiting Pakistan for discussing issues pertaining to trade in petroleum products. The team is headed by P. Kalyanasun-daram, Director (International Cooperation and Corporate Affairs), Ministry of Petr-oleum and Natural Gas, Government of India and comprises business representatives from leading Indian companies, including Petroleum Federation of India (Petro-Fed), IOCL, BPCL, HPCL, Reliance Industries, Essar Oil Ltd.

The Pakistani side is headed by Shabbir Ahmed, Joint Secretary (International & Joint Ventures) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Res-ources, and members include representatives of Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of For-eign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ogra, Federal Board of Revenue, Pakistan State Oil, Parco and Attock Refinery Ltd. Dr. Asim welcomed the Indian members to Pakistan and said that Pakistan is interested in import furnace oil and diesel.—APP