Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr Asim Hussain said on Saturday that the gas crisis would not end anytime soon but it would be brought under control in the next six months.
“We want to significantly reduce the present demand and supply gap in the next six months. Before the next general elections, I want to make a roadmap for the resolution of the energy crisis and hand it to the next government for implementation,” he said.
The petroleum ministry was speaking at the share distribution ceremony under Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme among Sui Southern Gas Company employees at Regent Plaza on Saturday.
Out of the total 12,000 employees, some 6,500 regular employees now own 12% shares of SSGC. Under the Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme, employees of government-owned enterprises are being transferred 12% share of their organisation.
The employees cannot sell or transfer these shares during their job tenure, but get the annual dividends and have the option the sell the shares at the time of retirement.
Pakistan is facing 1.8 billion cubic feet (bcf) gas shortfall because of high demand in winter season. The demand is exceeding supply by over 6 bcf, Hussain said.
He said the situation would improve in February following decrease a gradual rise in temperature.
“The biggest challenge for us is the losses and gas theft. The government has decided to reduce unaccounted for gas (UFG), a technical term for gas theft and losses, by at least 2% from the present 10.3% before June this year,” he said.
SSGC is implementing a natural gas efficiency project with the assistance of World Bank which has extended $200 million for bringing down losses.
There is a gas crisis in the country but it is not a dooms day scenario, he said, adding that Pakistan has 75 trillion cubic feet reserves of gas which can be exploited to meet the growing demand of gas.
Hussain also directed the management of SSGC to further regularise senior employees of SSGC after taking their tests in the coming week.
Senator Faisal Raza Abidi speaking at the ceremony said that the government has regularised 47,000 employees in state-owned institutions in the last four years and this figure could touch 100,000 as more regularisation is on the cards.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
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This is an insult to all readers. Facts are the gas situation will get worse as there is declining supply and demand is increasing. There is no hope of having gas from Iran. Only solution is to import LPG from overeases. This requires investment from overseas and local investors.
He knows that if he says it enough Pakistani's will eventually believe it --- seems to work on just about every problem.
It has'nt been brought under manageable control for past six years and now it will be achieved in next six months !!! This sort of statements are insult to intelligence of common man of Pakistan !
What about losses due to inefficient equipment? Are we going to do legislation for banning gas stoves, heaters, industrial furnaces which are inefficient?
Solution lies in improving the effiency of our appliances and optimum usage of energy. Few examples which should be made mandatory:
Proper building insulation if air conditioner is to be installed Minimum efficiency for all electrical equipment (e.g. fans) Minimum efficiency for gas room heaters, water heaters, stoves Optimum usage in the industryAssalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Controlling the crises policy haws been very strange and most easiest task now-a-days for the PPP's leaders now because the uncontrollable crises in last approximately 4 years now have been controllable and over coming very quickly and easily within next few months.PM Gillani says electricity crisis will be controlled in this year which couldn't be controlled in last approx. 4 years, Dr. Aasim Hussain says that gas crisis will be controlled within months.And for all these crises present government is blaming and accusing Musharraf.Methinks there were no any crises in Pakistan and all the crises displayed before the nation were self-made and hand-made by the present corrupt government.And one thing is confirmed,id est,such these types of statements are being given by the present corrupt leadership just to get votes and re-elect in the next general elections to form the next government.