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Aftab Maken
ISLAMABAD: The 12th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum, chaired by Syed Mustafa Mehmood, reviewed significant developments in the gas and LNG sector, with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik highlighting major reforms and consumer relief measures.
The Federal Minister informed the Committee that successful negotiations with Qatar have been concluded to divert Pakistan’s surplus LNG cargoes to the international market while fully respecting contractual obligations.
He praised Qatar as a valuable and reliable supplier that honored its commitments when many global suppliers defaulted during challenging times. Pakistan highly values this strategic relationship and has reached a mutually acceptable solution regarding excess LNG cargoes.
In a major announcement, Ali Pervaiz Malik stated that, on the directions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, gas prices will not be increased for the next six months in any category, providing substantial relief to consumers. Gas prices will remain the same for all consumers for the next six months of the current fiscal year.
He further briefed the Committee that the circular debt flow in the gas sector has been quelled, with no creation of fresh circular debt, marking a significant milestone in gas sector reforms.
Enhanced gas supply is being provided to domestic consumers across the country, and no domestic field is presently under curtailment. Power plants are being supplied gas beyond their IGCEP demand to avoid loadshedding.
The Managing Directors of the Sui companies briefed the Committee on operational improvements. It was reported that enhanced gas supply is being ensured for domestic consumers nationwide, in line with Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif’s directions to provide maximum relief to the public during the winter season.
SNGPL reported a substantial reduction in Unaccounted-for Gas (UFG) losses from 9% to 5%, while SSGC reported a decrease from 17% to 10%.
The Committee was also informed that IoT-based monitoring systems, including Town Border Stations, have been deployed at gas network tail ends to automatically generate alarms in case of pressure drops, thereby improving real-time monitoring and service delivery.
MD SNGPL further stated that gas supply hours have been extended from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, following the Prime Minister’s instructions to ensure maximum public relief during winter. Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik added that the government is working on capacity building of the Directorate General of Petroleum Concessions in consultation with the World Bank.
The Chairman and Members of the Standing Committee appreciated the progress achieved through reforms, improved governance, and enhanced consumer-focused measures in the petroleum and gas sector.
