Ahmad Ali says using of bio technology to produce Bio Fuels is very important to cop the current energy crisis of the country.

Lahore: Government of Punjab has provided 1500 family size bio gas plants to rural population with the subsidy of 75 million rupees. use of bio technology to produce Bio Fuels is very important to cop the current energy crisis of the country. This was told by Minister for Agriculture Malik Ahmad Ali while addressing a “National Seminar on Opportunities and Challenges of Bio Fuels in Pakistan” at Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industries. Senior vice President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Vice Chancellor University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Prof. Dr. Talat Naseer Pasha, Prof. Whaeed Akhtar of Punjab University, Dr. Farkhanda of Lahore College for Women University, large number of University students and representatives of industrial and other sectors were also present in the seminar.

Addressing the seminar speakers gave presentations regarding importance, preparation and current scenario of Bio Fuels production using Bio Technology. Currently Pakistan’s energy requirements are being met by using 32.8 percent oil, 45.6 percent gas, 13 percent hydro power, 1 percent nuclear energy and 6 percent through coal. Alternatives resources of energy like Bio Fuels, Solar Energy, Wind energy and Bio Gas have become very important for economic growth of any country, because these resources are renewable and cost effective than traditional fossil fuels. Develop countries like USA and Brazil are using Ethanol and Gasoline as Fuel for vehicles. In Pakistan daily production of Ethanol is about 2,415 kilo liters which is currently being exported because of non availability of modern Bio Technology services in the country. Maize, Jatropha and JOJOBA are used for Ethanol production. Maize production in Pakistan is around 4 million tons per year from which Bio Diesel can be produced to lower import expenses on fossil fuels.

Minister for Agriculture Punjab said that Punjab Government is well aware of the energy crisis and taking necessary steps to explore alternative resources of energy. To expedite the research work on Bio Fuels an MOU with Chinese firm has been signed to set a research Institute in University of Agriculture Faisalabad. This will help to develop Bio technology to prepare Bio Fuels. He further told that Punjab Government is providing financial assistance to research institutes including University of Agriculture Faisalabad to conduct modern research to deal with energy crisis. He told that survival of industrial sector is not possible without progress in agriculture sector because more than 85 percent raw material for industrial sector is being provided by agriculture sector. He emphasized on private public partnership and encourage Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry to play its due role in research and development to explore alternative resources of energy.