PM Shehbaz approves plan to use ex-Fata gas amid energy crunch

Premier briefed on gas reserves discovered in North Waziristan, Bannu

ISLAMABAD:

Amid an energy crunch faced by Pakistanis in light of increased energy consumption during hot weather, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday approved a plan to provide natural gas discovered in the tribal districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) to the public.

The decision was taken to provide relief to the public and to mitigate the energy shortage faced by Pakistan in wake of a record increase in global energy prices.

During a meeting with the heads of Fauji Foundation and Marri Petroleum, the premier was briefed about gas reserves discovered in North Waziristan and Bannu, K-P.

In Bannu alone, one trillion cubic feet of gas reserves were discovered recently.

Read No free fuel for cabinet members

The PM said that the people of the area where the gas reserves were found should avail the benefits of their resources and sought suggestions for economic, educational, social welfare and healthcare projects in the area.

“What will the residents of the areas where gas has been discovered get,” the premier said as he asked for a plan from the officials concerned in this regard.

The premier was also briefed about the overall situation in the gas sector and its demand and supply.

Last week, PM Shehbaz had issued stern warnings to the officials of the energy ministry to rein in the crisis without delay, telling them that failure to do so would earn them dismissal from their service.

According to the insiders, Shehbaz had lashed out at the officials concerned while directing them to reduce load-shedding duration to two hours maximum under any circumstances. "Loadshedding for more than two hours is not acceptable. Do whatever,” he had issued directives.

“Out of the question. Not acceptable,” the irate premier had asserted. “I don’t want any explanation. People want to get rid of load-shedding and I will not compromise on public issues,” he was quoted as saying in response to the explanations given by the officials.