KARACHI, Jan 9: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ahsan Ullah Khan has asked the PPL, the SSGC and the PSO to follow national conservation policy as desired by President Pervez Musharraf and Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.

He was talking to the managements of Pakistan Petroleum Ltd, Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd and Pakistan State Oil at PSO House here on Wednesday.

He directed them to adopt austerity policy in the use of electricity and fuel.

Earlier, top bosses of these companies briefed the minister about the working of their organisations and future plans in separate presentations.

The minister said that foreign direct investment has increased in Pakistan by 14.6 per cent which shows their confidence in country’s investment policies.

He told the meetings that the prime responsibility of the caretaker government is to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in the country.

Similarly, it is also our duty to ensure continuity of policies of previous government, for implementing the vision of President Pervez Musharraf, he added.

The minister expressed confidence in the policies of PPL, SSGC and PSO.

He appreciated SSGC for ensuring gas supply to its consumers during troubles inBalochistan and also after Rawalpindi tragedy. —APP