IWCCI disappointed over functioning of petroleum ministry

Lahore: The Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday expressed extreme disappointment over the working of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.

Former advisor petroleum Dr Asim is still making all the major decisions in the ministry of petroleum which has put the claim of impartiality of the caretaker setup to question, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Talking to women entrepreneurs, she said that petroleum ministry officials are still acting upon the policy of former government to use natural gas for personal welfare and as a tool to bribe influential which must be probed.

She called upon Election Commission and other institutions to take note of wrongdoing of the petroleum ministry which has failed the test of honesty, integrity and impartiality.

Farida Rashid said that Dr. Asim damaged the economy beyond repair but he would still not allow any decision in the interest of country or masses.

Despite revelation of corruption to the tune of billion in the captive power scam by NAB, the former advisor was not included in the probe and supply of gas to primitive power plants was not discontinued which speak volumes about his influence, she said.

State-run gas distribution companies are being destroyed to please nobility in the same way nation’s largest petroleum retailer was pushed to bankruptcy, she noted.

These efforts are pointing towards flawed policy of boosting petroleum and liquid gas imports to drain forex reserves, leave millions jobless and lay waste to the investments in the CNG sector, the president IWCCI noted.

Caretaker government is hurting 180 million people to please about one hundred powerful owners of the dysfunctional captive power plants, she added.

Wastage of gas can resolve energy crisis to great extent but the top officials remained busy in conspiracies including directing gas distributors to reduce supply so that they can get desired results.

Pakistan will continue to reel under energy crisis until petroleum ministry is cleared of leftovers of Dr. Asim, said Farida Rashid.