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Former Australia PM Bob Hawke
Former Australia Prime Minister Bob Hawke is visiting Pakistan
Former Prime Minister of
Australia Bob Hawke, who is currently visiting Pakistan as the head of a
three-member delegation, called on Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural
Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon yesterday in Islamabad. He discussed the
investment opportunities in the oil and gas sector.
Welcoming the Australian delegation, the minister briefed them about the
investment opportunities in oil, gas & mineral sectors, and said the government
was specifically focusing on promoting the energy sector aimed at fast growth of
its economy.
Jadoon said the government had so far granted over 100 licenses to local and
foreign exploration and production companies and would open more blocks to boost
oil and gas exploration in onshore and offshore areas to tap the remaining 309
million barrels proven reserves of oil and 33 trillion cubic feet of gas.
The minister said Pakistan was ranked the second largest country in coal
deposits of 175 billion tonnes in Thar, adding that government was taking
concrete steps to increase the coal share in energy mix from six percent to 50
percent in the coming years.
The minister said there existed a lot of potential for Australian investors in
oil & gas exploration and mineral activities, as the government was offering
lucrative incentives and a level playing field to prospective investors.
The former Prime Minister of Australia thanked Jadoon for extending warm
hospitality to the delegation, and said his visit would be beneficial to explore
investment opportunities in oil, gas and alternate source of energy. He lauded
the tremendous growth of Pakistan's economy in the last few years and
diversified investment potential.
Petroleum Secretary Ahmed Waqar, Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan
Director General Hilal A. Raza and Saif Group of Companies Chairman Anwar
Saifullah Khan were also present during the meeting.
