Karachi, J Pakistan State Oil PSO signed Memorandum of Understanding MoU with Balochistan Government’s Forest and Wildlife Department for establishment of 5,000 acre bio-diesel agricultural estate located at Uthal, Balochistan. It was signed by Naeem Yayha Mir, MD & CEO PSO and Ahmed Ali, Balochistan Secretary Forest & Wildlife Department.
PSO’s New Business Development department previously established agricultural estate at Pipri Marshalling Yard to conduct a feasibility study on cultivation of Jathropa Curcas plant and extraction of bio-diesel from its seeds. On successful completion of plant life-cycle and extraction of bio-diesel, it also carried out product testing by running company vehicles on this environment friendly fuel. With MoU signing, PSO is moving forward, with its plans for introducing Jathropa cultivation on a commercial level to set up pilot project at Uthal as first step towards mass-cultivation.
Naeem Mir said success of this project will provide multiple environmental, economic benefits, provide career opportunities for people of the province. “We will bring greenery to Balochistan and at same time develop alternate source of energy for the nation.
Ahmed Ali expressed Balochistan government’s support for this plan. “We commend national energy company for having taken this step and hopeful project will result in further growth focused investment and economic progress in the region.”
Through this plantation PSO aims to produce a renewable fuel source that will help bridge energy gap of the country and reduce dependence on foreign fuel imports.
