President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the textile industry to generate electricity through small power projects (SPPs) to save the industry from a total collapse due to ongoing loadshedding.

Iran faced opposition from within on Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline deal as Iranian Oil Ministry had strongly opposed signing of Gas Sales Purchase Agreement (GSPA) in Turkey due to security concerns, fearing that Jundallah Group may create hurdles in materialising the project.

The Pak-Tajik Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting wants to establish an energy hub and provide electricity to deficit countries, Federal Minister for water and power, Rajaz Pervez Ashraf, said here on Monday.

An American firm Bargamo E&A has shown interest to invest in the solar energy projects. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, Hilard Herzong, called on the Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan. A statement on Sunday said that the meeting was held at the Governor House here.

Dr Asim Hussain, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources has said the delay in the execution of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project is causing Pakistan a loss of $5 million per day.

Federal Government has allocated an amount of Rs 580 million for the growth of mineral sector by 2 percent in 2009-10, which is facing still unpredictable situation in certain mineral potential areas due to the law and order problem. According to official sources, mineral potential of Pakistan was recognised to be excellent but the sector was inadequately developed.

Major parts of the metropolis are exposed to acute lead pollution, which poses a serious threat to the health of citizens, a research study conducted at the University of Karachi has established.

Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi has said indiscriminate use of chemicals to achieve and maintain development tempo in agriculture, industry and urban settlements was damaging public health and natural resources of the country.

The Pakistan Electric Power Company is putting co-ordinated efforts to extend electricity distribution infrastructure to remote areas of the country. Multiple system augmentation and infrastructure improvement programmes are also being executed and enormous human endeavour, technical expertise and financial investments have been concentrated on various developmental projects.

The Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that the government has set a target to electrify 7,000 villages within next five years through solar energy which cannot be electrified through grid. The minister said that Pakistan is facing the same issues in developing and utilising its renewable as many other countries in similar situation.