Pakistan has awarded an oil  exploration licence to Pakistan Oilfields for a block in the south, the country said.

Pakistan Oilfields will spend $21.285 million on exploration in the Kirthar South block in Sindh and Baluchistan provinces.
The concession area is spread over 2,150.06 sq km, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources said in a statement.
"POL has made a firm commitment to invest $21.285 million in Kirthar South Block for an exploration programme ... and drilling of four exploratory wells during the initial three-year term," the ministry said.
Pakistan Oilfields, which is listed on Pakistan's main Karachi Stock Exchange, operates nine leases and two exploration licenses.
The firm also has a working interest in four other exploration licenses and seven non-operated leases.
The company produces daily about 13,240 barrels of oil, 58.4 million cubic feet of gas, 156 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas and 6.5 metric tonnes of sulphur.
Pakistan's liberal exploration policy has attracted interest from domestic as well as foreign firms in recent years, making oil and gas the country's largest investment area.
Pakistan imports 85 per cent of its energy needs. It is struggling to increase domestic oil production of about 63,000 barrels per day, which it hopes to raise to 100,000 bpd.