KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ali Sheikh on Tuesday blamed Islamabad’s negligent attitude for country’s energy woes and the delay in finalising power projects across the province.

Speaking to a gathering of industry leaders at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati), he said the delays in issuance of licences and approvals for oil exploration, alternate, and renewable energy projects has plunged the country into an energy crisis – affecting both industry and the masses.

Mr Sheikh regretted that instead of exploring indigenous resources, the federal government has resorted to costly petroleum and LNG imports which are draining the country’s foreign exchange reserves and producing costly energy.

He criticised the government’s policies and questioned how Pakistan’s exports could be competitive in the international market when the country was solely dependent on costly imported energy.

He claimed that Sindh has the solution for country’s energy crisis since the province already produces 70 per cent of natural gas, 35pc of petroleum products and has the capacity to produce up to 50,000MW of electricity.

He said that the province also holds the capacity to produce alternate and renewal energy especially wind and solar energy.

Referring to issues raised by the President Kati Muhammad Danish Khan regarding load shedding, Mr Sheikh said that he would raise the issue with Chief Minister Sindh because under Article 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan, residents of the province have the first right to the explored gas within its boundary.

Presently, the minister said, Sindh produces 2,700mmcfd gas but receives only the 1,100mmcfd — which is less than 70pc of the total provincial production.

He said that Sindh has no representation in National Tran­smission and Despatch Company (NTDC) and Oil and Gas Regulatory Auth­ority and National Electric Power Regulatory (Nepra).

He disclosed that within the next few months, first power unit of 330MW from Thar coal will be inaugurated which will be followed by the second plant which is being constructed by Engro. After the inauguration, the power plants will contribute electricity to the national grid from Islam Kot, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2018