The government of Pakistan yesterday approved a development by the exploration company Tullow for a gas allocation of the Sara field, in the east of the country, the Irish firm said. Gas from the field is to be piped to the GUDDU power plant, operated by a government agency. "Tullow Oil looks forward to the early completion of this, its first development in Pakistan, and the rapid development of its other gas discoveries in that country," said the company's managing director, Mr Aidan Heavey.

The Pakistan government has a policy of utilising indigenous gas in preference to imported fuel, and power plant operators are offered incentives to use domestic gas production.