The National Assembly''s Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources was informed on Thursday that recently Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) had discovered huge gold and copper reserves in Balochistan. Briefing the Committee, which met here with MNA Chaudhry Bilal Ahmed Virk in the chair, Dr Imran Khan, Director General (DG) GSP said that as per estimates Balochistan province is full of gold, copper, iron and coal reserves.
He said that due to lack of resources the country is unable to exploit the gold and other reserves, adding that the government has recently discovered new coal reserves in Badin District of Sindh province. Dr Imran said: "Balochistan has billions of tons reserves of gold, copper, iron and coal, but due to limited resources we failed in taking advantage of these natural resources. Latest coal discovery in Badin has increased the country''s discovered coal reserves quantity by one billion ton." The committee asked the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to approach Planning Commission & Ministry of Finance for the release of Rs 667 million (PSDP) in favour of GSP, so that the Department could complete already delayed projects successfully and fetch revenue for the national exchequer.
MNA Akram Durrani of JUI-F stated that if the government starts exploration activities in five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province Pakistan would have no need to import gas from any other country. The DG (GSP) apprised that GSP is responsible for the study of geology of the country in all pertinent details and to assess its resource potential. It undertakes geological mapping and other geo-scientific survey, basic and applied research in earth sciences, scientific investigations for an accurate understanding of the country''s geological resources and their prudent management and environmental geology and hydro-geological studies.
The Committee expressed grave concerns over the toxic waste and effluent being drained into natural rivers/streams by oil/gas Exploration and Production (E&P) companies; and directed the Ministry to convey the serious concern of the committee to Ministries of Health & Law for regulating this burning issue.
The Committee also got briefing over Reko Diq Copper and Gold Project; and decided to hold another in-camera meeting; keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter due to international arbitration. The Committee was also briefed on the performance of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC). The Committee also directed the Ministry to take stringent measures to stop pilferage/theft of oil and gas in the areas of Districts Kohat and Karak of KPK.
The meeting was also attended by Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana, Parliamentary Secretary for the Petroleum Ministry, Malik Ihtebar Khan, Syed Muhammad Saqlain Bukhari, Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, Rasheed Ahmed Khan, Roshan Din Junejo, Shehryar Afridi, Akram Khan Durrani and Pir Bux Junejo along with senior officials of the Petroleum Ministry and attached departments.
He said that due to lack of resources the country is unable to exploit the gold and other reserves, adding that the government has recently discovered new coal reserves in Badin District of Sindh province. Dr Imran said: "Balochistan has billions of tons reserves of gold, copper, iron and coal, but due to limited resources we failed in taking advantage of these natural resources. Latest coal discovery in Badin has increased the country''s discovered coal reserves quantity by one billion ton." The committee asked the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to approach Planning Commission & Ministry of Finance for the release of Rs 667 million (PSDP) in favour of GSP, so that the Department could complete already delayed projects successfully and fetch revenue for the national exchequer.
MNA Akram Durrani of JUI-F stated that if the government starts exploration activities in five districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province Pakistan would have no need to import gas from any other country. The DG (GSP) apprised that GSP is responsible for the study of geology of the country in all pertinent details and to assess its resource potential. It undertakes geological mapping and other geo-scientific survey, basic and applied research in earth sciences, scientific investigations for an accurate understanding of the country''s geological resources and their prudent management and environmental geology and hydro-geological studies.
The Committee expressed grave concerns over the toxic waste and effluent being drained into natural rivers/streams by oil/gas Exploration and Production (E&P) companies; and directed the Ministry to convey the serious concern of the committee to Ministries of Health & Law for regulating this burning issue.
The Committee also got briefing over Reko Diq Copper and Gold Project; and decided to hold another in-camera meeting; keeping in view the sensitivity of the matter due to international arbitration. The Committee was also briefed on the performance of Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC). The Committee also directed the Ministry to take stringent measures to stop pilferage/theft of oil and gas in the areas of Districts Kohat and Karak of KPK.
The meeting was also attended by Shahzadi Umerzadi Tiwana, Parliamentary Secretary for the Petroleum Ministry, Malik Ihtebar Khan, Syed Muhammad Saqlain Bukhari, Rana Muhammad Ishaq Khan, Rasheed Ahmed Khan, Roshan Din Junejo, Shehryar Afridi, Akram Khan Durrani and Pir Bux Junejo along with senior officials of the Petroleum Ministry and attached departments.
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