Jadoon calls for enhanced SAARC cooperation in energy sector
By Khalid Amin

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Amanullah Khan Jadoon Friday underscored the need to intensify the ongoing efforts for exploring areas of cooperation in diversified energy fields for the benefit of the people of member states.
Talking to SAARC Secretary General Chenkyab Dorji here, he said SAARC Energy Centre setup in Islamabad was playing a significant role in identifying the areas of energy cooperation among the regional countries.
The Minister said the government was according high priority to promote the energy sector in a well organized manner to meet the growing needs of the country.
He said that the government was taking concrete steps to exploit the vast hydrocarbon and coal deposits at a faster pace to enhance its share in the energy mix. Chenkyab Dorji appreciated the efforts being made by Pakistan for promoting energy cooperation among the member states and extending technical interaction for the benefit of 1.4 billion population of the region.
Later, the SAARC Secretary general visited the SAARC Energy and Human Resource Development Centre and lauded its contribution for boosting cooperation among the member states.
Director General of Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) Hilal A. Raza who is also the Director of SAARC Energy Centre briefed the dignitary about the significant role being made by the Centre for boosting energy cooperation.
Secretary Petroleum Farrukh Qayyum and senior officials of the ministry were also present on the occasion.