PM directs to fast track issuance of licenses for domestic gas exploration “We have to develop a culture that can increase exports and decrease our dependence on imports”, PM Imran

PM directs to fast track issuance of licenses for domestic gas exploration

“We have to develop an ecosystem and a culture that can increase exports and decrease our dependence on imports”, said Prime Minister Imran Khan

Signing of MoU to Universal Health Coverage of Sehat Sahulat Program in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory  at Islamabad.

ISALAMABD ( Web News )

Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to fast-track the issuance of licenses for domestic exploration of gas, which is the cheapest source of natural gas.

Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Wednesday on gas situation in the country, he also directed the concerned departments to remove hurdles in process of installation of new LNG terminals and virtual pipeline projects by investors.

Prime Minister Imran Khan chairs a meeting on energy sector at Islamabad on 29th December, 2021

The meeting was briefed about the demand, supply from the domestic reserves, shortfall and Import of LNG.

It was informed that the current constrained demand of gas in the country is 4700 Million Standard Cubic Feet per day, which increases to 6000-6500 MMCFD during the winter season.

The current domestic supply amounts to 3300 MMCFD, which is decreasing every year. The resulting shortfall has to be managed by importing LNG.

For short term, the existing capacity of domestic terminals is being optimized and the process of issuance of virtual pipeline licenses is expedited.

In addition, the installation of two new LNG terminals is underway with all bottlenecks being removed on priority basis.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a simple ceremony,  witnessed signing of MoU between Federal Government, Government of Punjab and State Life Insurance for implementation of Universal Health Coverage of Sehat Sahulat Program in Punjab and Islamabad Capital Territory  today at Islamabad.
Prime Minister Imran Khan witnesses signing of MoU between Federal Government, Punjab Government and State Life Insurance for Universal Health Coverage at Islamabad on 29th December, 2021
Attachments area
SAPM Dr. Faisal Sultan, Minister for Health Punjab Dr. Yasmin Rashid and senior officials were present.
MoU was signed by Secretary National Health Services Regulations & Coordination Mr. Aamir Ashraf Khwaja, CEO Punjab Health Initiatives Management Company Mr. Ali Razaq and Chairman State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan Mr. Shoaib Javed Hussain.
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the Sehat Sahulat Program for all residents of Punjab in Lahore on 13th December, 2021.

Through this Social Health Protection initiative poor families will be provided with free of cost health insurance to secure indoor health care services worth Rs: one million per family per year from empaneled hospitals across Pakistan. The services which are available from Sehat Cards includes open heart surgeries, insertion of stents, management of cancer, neurosurgical procures, burn management, accident management, dialysis, intensive care management, deliveries, C section and other medical / surgical procedures along with Kidney transplant. There is facility of Inter Provincial / Inter District Portability for availing free of cost services from any empaneled hospital in Pakistan.

“We have to develop an ecosystem and a culture that can increase exports and decrease our dependence on imports”, said Prime Minister Imran Khan while chairing a meeting on developing an export culture in the Country.
“We need resilient exporters who will be rewarded with national civil awards as per their performance in increasing exports”, he added.
The Prime Minister directed Ministry of Commerce to develop a  portal which could cater to complaints of the exporters. He also directed them to act as a catalyst for the achievement of sustained growth in exports.
Moreover, the Prime Minister directed all the departments concerned to develop robust policies and transparency by using technology.
Earlier Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood apprised the Prime Minister that this year they have achieved a record growth in exports after 10 years of stagnation. He added that it is high time to bring in impetus to further increase our export target.
The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Finance Ministe Shaukat Fayyaz Tarin, Industries Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, information Minister Ch Fawad Hussain, Maritime Affairs Minister Syed Ali Haider Zaidi, Minister for National Food Security Syed Fakhar Imam, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood and senior officers concerned.