Islamabad: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (PM) on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan announced the federal government’s decision to consult all provincial governments in order to resolve issues pertaining to royalties on gas and water distribution, a news source reported. She further revealed that provinces would also be consulted on the appointment of the chairman and members of the Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
These decisions were made during a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) that was chaired by PM Imran Khan. In a press conference following the session, Dr Awan told the media that the government would consult the provinces before appointing the WAPDA chairman and members. She added that they would pick the chairman from the four provinces on a rotational basis – appointing the most competent person each time.
The CCI meeting decided that the government would form a committee to ensure an equitable distribution of water among all the provinces, and also set up a modern telemeter system to determine the water quality in reservoirs. Furthermore, the meeting approved the establishment of a committee to expand and interpret Articles 158 and 172 of the Constitution, regarding royalties on gas, oil, minerals, and abandoned/ownerless properties.
The meeting further made the following decisions:
Approved Alternative & Renewable Energy 2019 so provinces could initiate their own projects for meeting the growing electricity demand
Approved all International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions for Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Pakistan 2019-22 structural benchmark & performance (including amendments to Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Ordinance 2002 – empowering OGRA to set and implement gas tariff)
Centre will take decisions pertaining to workers’ pension and other benefits based on international practices
Consult Sindh govt for declaring liquefied natural gas (LNG) as gas or petroleum product
Approved amendments to Petroleum Exploration & Production Policy 2012
Consult provinces on matters of exploration & production licences and their renewals
Lastly, PM Khan also met with Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah in order to discuss various issues related to the development of the province.
