Age of piped gas coming to its end, Senate panel told

The Senate Standing Committee on Energy was informed on Friday that the era of piped gas supply was ending, therefore, the household users should convert to the cylinders for the domestic use.

The committee met here with its chairman Abdul Qadir in the chair. The committee expressed its displeasure on the absence of Energy Minister Hammad Azhar. The committee members asked the chair to bring the matter to the notice of the prime minister.

Giving a briefing to the committee, Petroleum Secretary Dr Arshad told the lawmakers that the concept of gas supply through pipeline was diminishing in the world. Even in Pakistan, he added, piped gas was provided to only 28% of the population, while 72% of the population still used alternative sources.

READ Senate panel rejects Jan 9 blackout inquiry report

Dr Arshad said that the Petroleum Division had been told to buy furnace oil. He added that the imported furnace oil had been given to the independent power producers (IPPs) for electricity generation.

“Furnace oil is cheaper than LNG [liquefied natural gas] spot cargo,” he said.

The committee members expressed their displeasure over the absence of the energy minister. Senator Sadia Abbasi said that the minister had not attended any of the committee meetings. Senator Qurratul Ain Marri asked the chair to write a letter to the prime minister on this matter.

The petroleum secretary told the committee that the minister was unwell because of staying up late last for the negotiations with the Petroleum Dealers Association over their strike. Senator Marri said that the minister was not invited to feast, rather it was his job to attend the committee meetings.