ISLAMABAD:Ikram Muhammad Ibrahim, High Commissioner of Malaysia called on Federal Minister for Energy, Omar Ayub Khan and Nadeem Babar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum here at the Petroleum Division on Monday.
The High Commissioner apprised the Minister and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister about preparations being undertaken for the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to Malaysia.
Omar Ayub Khan and Nadeem Babar shared the structural reforms being carried out in the Energy sector of the country including with a special focus on the ease of doing business in the energy sector of Pakistan.
Omar Ayub Khan invited Malaysian investors to fully participate in the auction of Oil and Gas blocks that will be offered to foreign investors shortly with 18 initial blocks in the first phase. The SAPM also shared the possibility of Petronas acquiring divested shares from OGDCL, PPL and Mari Petroleum that will be divested to shared partners.
Nadeem Babar also invited Petronas to favorably look at LNG infrastructure development opportunities in Pakistan. He said Malaysian investors can benefit in areas such as LPG, refinery upgradation etc.
The High Commissioner of Malaysia commended initiatives taken by the Federal Minister, SAPM and Petroleum Division to facilitate ease of doing business in Pakistan’s Energy sector and remarked that Malaysia looked at Pakistan in general and the Pakistani Energy market as of great potential.
He also appreciated the fiscal stabilization agenda of the present Government which is akin to such a process being executed in Malaysia. He was optimistic on Petronas establishing a strong presence in Pakistan in a cross section of Pakistan’s energy industry.
He expressed feelings of warmth and a special place that the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahatir Muhammad has towards the state and people of Pakistan. He shared how the Malaysian Government is looking forward towards the Prime Minister’s visit.
Omar Ayub Khan and Nadeem Babar reciprocated the sentiments of the High Commissioner and mentioned that Prime Minister Imran Khan attaches great importance to Malaysia and has deep respect for Dr Mahatir Muhammad whom he notes as an elder statesman who has been his role model in politics.
They agreed that both countries are close and the existing bonds would cement further by PM Imran Khan’s visit and in the years to come.