MPs express ire over gas load shedding

SNGPL told to take urgent steps to address problem

ISLAMABAD: Members of the National Assembly on Thursday expressed their outrage over the gas load shedding in the country, directing the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) to take immediate steps to address the problem.

During a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Energy held with MNA Dr Imran Khattak in the chair, the lawmakers warned that the situation could grow out of control if urgent measures were not taken.

“People are warning that they will block the roads because there is no gas. They are calling us to join their strikes and roadblocks. How long we can resist them,” said PTI MNA

Noor Alam Khan told SNGPL officials.

“It is the officers who are not doing their job properly and people are blaming the MNAs for it. People are using foul language against me on Facebook and Twitter. I have never faced such verbal abuse in my life,” he added.

PPP MNA Agha Rafiullah pointed out that it had become difficult to cook meals in Karachi because of the gas load shedding. The MNAs lamented the shortage of gas for both industrial and residential consumers. They also noted that consumers were complaining about a threefold increase in their gas bills.

PML-N MNA Barjees Tahir expressed displeasure at the absence of the SNGPL MD from the meeting.

The Petroleum Division officials told the NA panel that there was no permanent MD for the company and the vacancy would be filled within 15 days.

The panel was informed that a permanent MD for the Sui Southern Gas Company had not been appointed so far. The lawmakers also expressed their annoyance over the absence of Power Division secretary from the meeting.

Petroleum secretary Asad Hayuldin said he would visit Karachi along with the petroleum minister and adviser petroleum to assess the gas shortage in the city.

He said LNG had also been included in the system to facilitate residential consumers.

Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Chairperson Uzma Adil told the panel that authority had permitted 350,000 new gas connections. MNA Noor Alam Khan said all those who had applied should be provided with gas connections.

MNA Khurram Dastigir endorsed Alam Khan’s stance and said giving more gas connections would benefit the companies.

MNA Riaz Pirzada proposed that large housing societies should be permitted to use gas produced by anyone. The Ogra chairperson clarified that the authority had already permitted the import of gas. Noor Alam inquired as to why expensive imported LNG was being supplied to residential consumers. The Ogra chairperson responded that LNG use was approved only for new housing societies.