Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has opposed a fresh study on blending of 5 percent ethanol with gasoline and termed it a move of the oil marketing companies' lobby to derail and sabotage the decision taken by President Pervez Musharraf in February.
In a letter written to Hilal A. Raza, Director General/Chief Executive Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, a spokesman of the PSMA said detailed study has already been conducted on the subject at the highest level in Islamabad. Therefore, the decision to conduct another study through Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan carries no sense and it is nothing but to cause undue delay in the implementation of the project. The letter further stated that President Musharraf had chaired a meeting in February to identify alternate/renewable sources of energy and it was decided to blend 5-percent ethanol with gasoline. Accordingly, ministry of industries was given the task to implement and draft a law on the proposal in line with the decision taken by the President
The letter added that PSMA has already made a detailed presentation on the subject and the ministry of industries has asked Badr Hashmi, a consultant, to prepare a report on how the decision could be implemented. As a matter of fact, all relevant aspects have been covered in a series of meetings.
According to the letter the PSMA firmly believes that President's decision should not be derailed and the already available study conducted by the ministry and the decisions in the presence of stakeholders should be not be overruled.
The spokesman has also reminded HDIP DG in the letter that he has also attended the meetings and was very much familiar with the President's decision as a first step to legislate 5 percent blending of ethanol in gasoline.-PR