GUJJAR KHAN: Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Dr Asim Hussain said on Thursday that that the gas shortfall has reached one billion cubic feet, reported Express News.
Speaking to the media in the Daultala area of Gujjar Khan on the inauguration of Adhi Oil Field, Hussain said that in the month of January, gas supply to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations and industries will be slashed.
He also alleged that the previous government had been involved in the exploitation of gas resources and profiteering.
The minister also said that the CNG association should “stop lying” and added that they earn a profit of Rs28 per kg. He distributed shares to Adhi Oil Field under the Benazir Employees Stock scheme and also announced a bonus for the employees.
Earlier on Wednesday, the petroleum ministry finalised a summary of hikes in gas prices and has sought formal approval from the prime minister.
According to the summary, consumers will face a hike between 14 and 207 %, in order to generate Rs385 billion for gas utilities and import projects.
If the summary is approved, the price of CNG would rise from Rs67 per kilogramme (kg) to Rs80 per kg – a hike of Rs13 per kg.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will cost an additional Rs14 per kg after the imposition of Petroleum Levy worth $120 per ton on locally-produced LPG. This hike would generate Rs4 billion in additional revenue for the government in a year.
COMMENTS (12)
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Yes i Agree his field of speciality is not of what he is doing. This will happen when such people will take hold of such important position.
@Ali Tipu: He is a Orthopedic surgeon not a Cardiac one, but yeah he knows nothing of what he is yapping and supposedly heading these days.
Gas shortfall only for Punjab.......unless it falls in line!
@Anserali Khan: Yes i agree , in addition to that govt should close down the ministry. no gas no ministry.
The previous govt signed a coal bed methane (CBM) exploration and development agreement for THAR coal fields in March 2007 AND YOUR GOVT DID NOT HONOR IT. We could have easily recovered 5 TCF of CBM, which is basically natural gas and at least 50 million gallons of water as a by product on daily basis. What this water could have done to Thar? Doctor sahib you and several high officials of your ministry have met with the senior management of Cathay Oil & Gas, Canada and for reasons best know to you guys, we are facing the music. SOME HEADS SHOULD ROLL for this criminal negligence. Now with GAS CRISIS getting worse by the day, it could possibly be a catalytic factor in your govt downfall when people come out on streets for gas load-shedding in Jan 2012.
US/India/Israel conspiracy at work. Where is that pipeline from Iran?
Where is your all weather friend China, surely; they will help!
PPP has run out of time in blaming Musharraf. Four years and counting and the problems keep mounting. It takes more than slogans and "naras" to run a country. And it does not take more than 50 ministers to run the country either. It just shows how incompetent the people in power are, ignoring the point about political patronage in giving out ministries.
NOt so long ago this same minister was claiming that the curtailment of gas supplies would come to an end. Now he is claiming that it is all the fault of Musharraf!!! This is typical of our government. Run everything in to the ground and then blame others. I supposes the CIA destroyed our railways?
And did it just happen overnight Mr Minister?. .What was the Minister and his Ministry doing?.He should gracefully consider resigning
Democracy is the best revenge
And Now he wakes up.