Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that energy security now holds paramount importance in the context of future planning.
According to details, the premier chaired a key meeting on energy security, during which he said that work was under way on a plan to maintain strategic reserves of crude oil in the country.
The prime minister said energy security had become an essential part of future planning, adding that timely measures and energy conservation had prevented any crisis in the prevailing situation.
At the meeting, he said efforts would continue to ensure energy conservation, while transport would gradually be shifted to electric means for sustainable development. He also called for encouragement of the local manufacture of high-quality storage batteries.
Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities that, in future, only electric buses and motorcycles should be procured for official use. He further instructed that steps be expedited for the establishment of charging stations for electric vehicles, and that access to batteries for storing surplus solar power be made easier.
The meeting was informed that the country currently holds ample petroleum reserves, while the situation regarding food security remains stable. It was also stated that continued efforts by companies have led to an increase in domestic production of gas and oil.
Officials said that PC-1 for two pilot projects on grid-level battery storage is being prepared, while domestic consumers producing solar energy are being encouraged to install battery storage systems.
