ISLAMABAD: The government’s promise to overcome the gas crisis seemed a contradiction with facts as the Minister told the Senate to ban new connections . They believe Pakistan cannot afford it as this stage.
In a debate on the Senate floor, Federal Minister Musadiq Malik said, “Pakistan is Producing 1600 mmcfd SLNG, and we are spending 1400mmcfd gas to flash up the stokes.”
“It’ll not be fair if we will allow new connections. We can permit new connections on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), but the public is not able to afford it, and ultimately it will be burdened for the national treasury as well,” he added. In response to the reports of an increase in prices, Malik refuted the rumors.
Meanwhile, weeks ago, the Minister said in a press conference, that they have to overcome the gas shortage, “We are working on a framework agreement with Azerbaijan, by which we would enter into a government-to-government agreement with the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).”
A week ago, according to the decision, OGRA had permitted Sui Southern, and Sui Northern gas to increase prices by 67.75% and 74.42% respectively. However, Ogra had decided to raise Rs406.28 for Sui Southern and Rs469.28 for Sui Northern per Metric Million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU).
Meanwhile, the Minister said, “We didn’t have to approve the summary of Ogra because we don’t want to burden on the public.”
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