Karachi facing acute gas shortage

Ministry blames it on freezing cold in Quetta where demand has risen

ISLAMABAD:

The Ministry of Energy has said that Karachi is facing acute shortage of gas as the freezing cold in Quetta in the current winter season requires an increase in gas supply.

A ministry representative made the remarks when the Standing Committee on Energy (Petroleum Division) asked about the worsening gas shortage and increase in petroleum product prices in the country. The committee met for its 13th meeting on Tuesday. DG (gas) told the committee that the country lacked storage capacity, otherwise the issue of energy shortage could be tackled permanently.

Answering a question about the hike in prices of petroleum products, Petroleum Division officials said that due to a rise in international crude oil prices, “we are constrained to increase prices in Pakistan.”

Speaking at the meeting, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) chairman emphasised that the authority was not facing any political pressure while meeting its official commitments.

“There is not any pressure on us and we are performing our duties as per rules and regulations,” he declared. The Ogra chief stated this in response to a query from the committee, which asked whether there was any political pressure on the regulator in performing the official duty. The committee deferred discussion on a bill titled “Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2021”, as the energy ministry requested for further time to complete consultation process with the relevant stakeholders.

Discussing the incomplete and unfinished development schemes of legislators, the committee showed its dissatisfaction over the answers given by the ministry.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2021.

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