CCI meeting approves Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy 2019

ISLAMABAD: The 42^nd Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, has unanimously approved Alternative and Renewable Energy Policy 2019.

According to a press release, the meeting headed by the Prime Minister was attended by federal ministers, attorney general, and other concerned officials to review an eight-point agenda.

The CCI meeting considered amendment in the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Ordinance 2002. The amendment in OGRA Ordinance 2002 was included in the agenda over the request of the Sindh government.

PM Imran directed the petroleum ministry to include suggestions from the provinces in OGRA meetings. It was also decided to distribute 50 percent of the windfall levy generated from crude oil and natural gas.

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar briefed the meeting on annual demand and supply situation of gas with special reference to future requirements and dwindling domestic gas reserves.

The meeting was informed that according to the data regarding gas production, consumption, and transmission from various provinces, the country would face a major gas shortage by winter 2021-2022

In order to avoid the impending crisis, it was recommended that a national consensus needs to be built for exploration, production and conservation of domestic gas and rationalization of price mechanisms.

The meeting also agreed with the proposal of Punjab government regarding the control of a lower portion of the Chashma Right Bank Canal from the Ministry of Water Resources to the Punjab government.

In this regard, the CCI constituted a committee comprising of representatives of IRSA, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments to work out modalities and finalize a bilateral agreement between the two provinces.

The meeting also decided to transfer the existing National Commission for Human Development and Basic Education Community Schools, teachers and students from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to Education Departments of respective Provinces.

The CCI also appreciated the strategy adopted by the federal government to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Referring to Attorney General of Pakistan’s recommendations on Water Accord 1991, the CCI was informed that a committee comprising of technical experts of federal and provincial governments have been notified to look into the issue of fair distribution of water among provinces.