ISLAMABAD - The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet that met under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance & Economic Affairs, Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has approved to import 3 lakh tons of Urea for the coming kharif season.
After due deliberation, the ECC has approved the import of 3 lakh tons of Urea for coming Kharif season against a proposal of import of 6 lakh tons Urea. ECC also directed Ministries and Divisions concerned involved in it, to ensure balanced use of port facility at Gwadar, so that this port could also generate revenue for Balochistan province.
The ECC after detailed deliberation approved signing of Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) for the TAPI project. ECC was informed that a committee headed by Naveed Qamar, is already working for determination of price of gas pipeline. The ECC asked the Minister to make full presentation to the steering committee as well as Member Ministers of ECC. The steering committee should meet regularly.
Regarding the summary for pursuing international exploration appointments by PPL, ECC directed Ministry concerned should follow the existing procedure prescribed under F.E. Circular No.12 of the State Bank of Pakistan. On another summary moved by the same ministry on “Financing of Gas Infrastructure Development Schemes”, the ECC reiterated the decision of energy conference held on 9th April 2012 for putting complete ban on new connection.
ECC also approved in principle the proposal regarding “amending the policy guidelines on LPG Air Mix, CNG or LNG based pipeline distribution projects undertaken by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited & Sui Southern Gas Company Limited”. However the ECC constituted a sub-committee comprising Dr Asim Hussain Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Secretary Finance, Secretary Economic Affairs Division and Secretary Petroleum to further deliberate on the economic costing as well as the impact of final consumer price before implementing policy and committee will present the recommendation to the ECC.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resource Dr Asim Hussain, Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar, Minister for Port and Shipping Babar Ghori, Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Balore, Minister for Textiles Makhdoom Shahabud Din, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and Secretaries from concerned ministries and divisions.