PM orders countrywide crackdown on gas theft

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday ordered countrywide crackdown against gas theft, ARY News reported.

Presiding over a high-level meeting on prevailing gas crises in the country, PM Imran Khan said that no leniency should be given to the people involved in gas theft. He directed the authorities not to shift the additional burden on gas consumers.

The prime minister was briefed that that gas worth fifty billion rupees was stolen and consumers have to bear this additional burden as well. He was told that 91 percent gas consumers were being given 100 per cent subsidy.

Briefing the meeting about ‘ inflated gas bills’,  the officials said that the gas companies increased gas prices by 12 to 35 per cent due to costly imported gas. The meeting decided to import two 200 mmcfd gas immediately to meet the gas demand in the country.

Finance Minister Asad Umar, Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, heads of gas companies and other officials were present in the meeting.

Gas Shortage

The gas crises in Punjab and Sindh has deepened once again as the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) yesterday, suspended the gas supply to compressed natural gas (CNG) stations, fertilizer companies and industrial sector.

SSGC spokesperson had said that gas supply to CNG stations and industries was suspended due to shortage of gas in the system. He had said that the gas supply would be resumed as soon as the situation turned better. However, the supply is on halt until today.

In another statement, SSG spokesperson said that Sindh produced 2800-3000 mmcfd and its consumption was 1500 mmcfd.

Read More: SSGC demands two-day weekly shutdown from factories

SSGC was provided 1100-1200 mmcfd gas, he said, adding that the company supplied 300-400 MMCFD gas to industries, 150-200 mmcfd to CNG sector and 300-350 mmcfd gas to domestic and commercial consumers in the province. The spokesperson said that IPPs were supplied 300-400 mmcfd gas.

It is pertinent to mention here that due to shortage of gas, the SNGL had suspended gas supply to CNG stations in Punjab, fertilizer industry and independent power producers (IPPs) two days earlier.