They were speaking at the 9TH Pakistan Energy Forum 2016 which concluded in
Islamabad today. Organized by SHAMROCK Conferences International (www.shamrockconferences.net) the annual conclave was addressed by representatives of
government, regulatory bodies, the Asian Development Bank, the US Embassy, economists,
eminent practitioners, opinion formers, and potential foreign investor
countries.
Economist
Sakib Sherani in his Keynote address, said, “Energy is a critical input
for the economic development process, Pakistan’s energy policies and overall
paradigm should support national goals of environmentally-sustainable industrialization
and export-led growth, and a more holistic approach is required. Emergent
issues like inter-province energy cost differentials for industry need to be
addressed.”
The theme of this year’s forum was: “Approaching new frontiers
in Energy-sufficiency” which was aimed to help the experts determine how
strategic decisions in this sector can pave the way to meet energy demand and
drive economic prosperity in the future. Chairman
WAPDA, General (Retd) Muzzamil Hussain
highlighted the issues and opportunities in the sector and said that the time
is ripe now to walk the talk. He emphasized the need for accessibility over
affordability.
In the opening session, “Strategic and Regulatory Paradigm
for Energy Sufficiency”, Scott M. Miller,
Energy Officer from the US Embassy Islamabad, said, “Through
public and private sector projects, Pakistan and America have worked together
to improve energy sector performance and governance, and to help Pakistan
develop and grow its economy. Through U.S. government-funded projects,
more than 28 million Pakistanis have access to electricity.”
Mr. Arshad Maqsood Malik, Chief
(Energy) Planning Commission of Pakistan, concluded, “In parallel public and
private sectors may continue to play their roles in the development and energy
sufficiency of Pakistan. Policies and regulations may be improved to facilitate
the private sector investment; and the management and governance capacity of
public sector be strengthened to improve its efficiencies.”
Mr. Muhammad
Raziuddin, CEO, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Oil & Gas Company
opined that indigenous oil and gas exploration & production on Fast Track
basis should be initiated, transfer of technology, 18th Amendment to
be implemented, develop provincial petroleum policies and seek technical
assistance from the ADB, World Bank, USAID etc.
The second session “Integrating Public and Private
Investment for Equitable Energy Mix” featured
Mr. Werner E. Liepach, Country
Director, Asian Development Bank (Pakistan Mission) who said, energy in
Pakistan requires investment, security and reliability; with there being no
ideal solution for an equitable energy mix. Sardar Shaukat Aziz Popalzai eulogized the wealth of Balochistan
and stressed on the government to explore the endless opportunities for energy
in the province. Mr. Mahfooz Ahmed Qazi,
Director, Energy Department, Government of Sindh projected the extent of
coal-mining work being carried out in the province and aired an compelling video
to support his presentation.
The third session “Technology for Ecology, Optimizing Alternative
Energy Resources” was addressed by Mr. Amjad A. Awan, CEO, Alternate
Energy Board and Syed Imran Shah,
Manager Business Development, Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited, who reiterated
that the future of Pakistan’s clean and healthy energy requirement, lay in the recognition
and proliferation of renewal energy options, wind, solar and bio-mass.
Being organized for the ninth consecutive time, the
conference has made a mark as one of the premier events in the federal capital
focusing on the challenges of the energy sector.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Menin Rodrigues, Chairman of SHAMROCK Conferences International
and the Convener of the conference said, “Over the years, Pakistan has been
facing numerous challenges in tapping the available resources to ensure
consistent supply of energy, needed for the smooth functioning of the
industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. Fortunately, the Government is now
evidently cognizant of this critical need and is showing great diligence to
establish large-scale energy ventures, to power every deprived region and
segment in the country.”
The annual conclave of key stakeholders attracted 150 delegates
from more than 100 companies and organizations that are directly or indirectly
connected to the energy sector in Pakistan. Display stalls were set-up by
sponsor companies which provided additional attention from the participants.
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