KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan is making all-out efforts for sustainable economic growth and gave weightage to the energy sector for keeping the economic cycle moving with the ever-growing momentum, a government official said on Tuesday.

Addressing a meeting, held at the Ministry of Finance, to review the progress on the draft Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2021, Federal Finance and Revenue Minister Shaukat Tarin said that the oil refineries have been the pillar of energy security of the country and now the government wanted the domestic oil refineries to upgrade themselves at par with the international standards.

Also read: Osman Khalid Butt reacts to Imran Khan statement about women

Modernisation, efficiency and environment friendliness should be the common characteristics of the local oil refineries, he said, adding that the government was willing to extend all support, permitted under the law and policy framework, to this effect.

The representatives of the oil refineries said the industry welcomed the support and patronage provided by the government, and the entire sector was ready to upgrade itself to the international standards and, in this regard, the industry had prepared a comprehensive framework. With the approval of the new oil refining policy, the journey towards international standards will start, they added.

The finance minister directed the participants to work together to overcome all the hurdles in the formulation of the Oil Refining Policy 2021 so that the same may come into effect at the earliest.