PM orders winter gas management strategy

Directs uninterrupted gas imports and NHA audits

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take all necessary measures to ensure the uninterrupted import of gas in view of the prevailing regional situation, while ordering a comprehensive strategy and proactive steps for winter gas load management.

Chairing a high-level meeting on winter gas load management, the premier noted that a robust public awareness campaign should be launched to support the implementation of the gas load management strategy.

During the briefing, the participants of the meeting were informed that domestic consumers would remain the top priority for local gas supply, while RLNG will be prioritized for power generation and industrial sectors.

To reduce pressure on domestic gas reserves, a public awareness campaign will be initiated to promote alternative energy sources at the household level. Furthermore, measures are underway to ensure uninterrupted supply from natural gas reserves located in the northern areas of the country.

The meeting was also told that a proposal was under consideration to introduce bank financing for electricity-operated appliances used for water and space heating.

NHA

Separately, the prime minister directed that all ongoing projects of the NHA be subjected to a third-party audit and asked for a strategy to build national highways, motorways and expressways under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

He issued the directives while chairing a review meeting on NHA affairs at the Prime Minister House. The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing development work on national highways, motorways and expressways, a Prime Minister's Office news release said.

Addressing the participants, the prime minister said improved transport connectivity was indispensable for the development and prosperity of any country.

He said the government was working on a priority basis to connect remote areas with the rest of the country so that people there could have the best travel facilities and more opportunities for business and employment could be created.

The meeting was briefed on ongoing and proposed NHA projects. It was informed that the NHA's revenue had increased from Rs 109 billion to Rs 130 billion in the last fiscal year and was expected to reach Rs 160 billion during the current financial year.

ILO facilitation

The prime minister said Pakistan valued its promising partnership with the ILO in creating opportunities for productive employment for the country's youth and skilled labour.

He expressed these views during a meeting with ILO Director General, Gilbert F Houngbo, who called on him along with his delegation at the Prime Minister's Office, a news release said.

The prime minister welcomed the ILO Director General and appreciated the robust cooperation between Pakistan and the organization. He underlined the need for greater ILO facilitation in the international certification and professional training of Pakistan's skilled labour, in line with the standards of the international labour market.