Dr Noorjahan Panezai, MNA/Chairperson of the committee presided over the meeting in which the Geological Survey of Pakistan gave a presentation on their functions.
The committee was briefed about the geological framework of Pakistan, mineral potential, natural hazards, ground water, soil condition and environmental study. It was also informed that Pakistan was in the seismic zone.
The National Mineral Policy was also discussed during the meeting. The mineral map of Pakistan identifying different minerals was explained to the committee besides major mineral findings including Thar coal deposits, the largest coal reserves in the world on which spade work had been completed and negotiations to launch the project were in the final stages.
The committee members raised questions particularly related to the forecast of earthquake and proposed that the government should use the Geological Map for construction of buildings and residential houses to avoid any such catastrophe in future.
The committee was informed that the geological reports were provided to the development authorities of the respective cities and they framed their construction bylaws keeping in view these reports.
It was also informed that the government was considering using LPG in the automobile industry, as Pakistan was producing 66,000 barrels of oil per day, which catered to 16percent of the local needs whereas 31percent of needs were fulfilled by the gas. In the oil and gas exploration fields 22 companies including 6 domestic companies were allowed to carry out survey, the committee was told.
The other item on the agenda of the meeting of the Standing Committee was related to the kidnapping of 16 PPL workers from Karachi on December 9, 2003. These workers came to Karachi for negotiations on the charter of demands between CBA representatives and PPL management. The MD PPL who was present in the meeting informed the committee that they had lodged a report with the local police and also took up the matter with the provincial government and the ministry of interior.
The committee took a serious view of this kidnapping and passed a unanimous resolution for early recovery of the kidnapped persons.
The meeting was also attended by MNAs Khawaja Sheraz Mahmood, Chaudhry Liaquat Abbas Bhatti, Rahila Yahaya Munawar, Rubina Shaheen Wattoo, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Haji Khuda Bux Nizamani, Pir Syed Fazal Ali Shah Jeelani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Manzoor Hussain Wassan, Rana Mehmood-ul-Hassan and Senator Mir Muhammad Naseer Mengal.