ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that the country cannot progress without democracy.

He was speaking at an event held for launching a commemorative postage stamp in recognition of the services rendered by Maulana Mufti Mahmood for religion and politics in the country.

Mr Abbasi acknowledged that the parliamentary form of governance had its ills but noted that these would get rectified with the passage of time.

One of the largest oil and gas reserves from Jhandial well inaugurated

The prime minister said that Mufti Mahmood’s valuable contributions for the 1973 Constitution, democracy and the country would long be remembered. He said the late leader’s role in the movement for Khatm-i-Nabuwwat (peace be upon him) was laudable.

Also on Friday, PM Abbasi inaugurated one of the largest oil and gas reserves from Jhandial well.

According to preliminary estimates, the recoverable reserves stand at 292 billion standard cubic feet of gas and 23 million barrels of oil per annum.

It is the first major discovery by the Pakistan Oilfields Ltd (POL) over the last five years. Jhandial well is located in Ikhlas Block in Northern Potohar, about 83km southwest of Islamabad in Attock district.

The discovery is expected to contribute to the country’s energy sustainability while also having a positive impact on the future of exploratory efforts in the block and surrounding areas. The well will be connected to the production line in around a fortnight and will gradually attain full potential.

The POL holds 80 per cent share in the block whereas the Attock Oil Company has the remaining 20pc share.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2017