The officials of the Gas Company Southern Southern (SSGC) hinted at an increase in gas prices, since they suggested that national gas prices may be increased if an uninterrupted supply is guaranteed and an end of the elimination of load, Express News reported.
The comments were made during a meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Senate on Petroleum, where the low pressure problems and persistent interruptions were discussed in detail.
During the session, the managing director of Sui Northern Gasipepelines Limited (SNGPL) explained that the current load displacement crisis is largely driven by the dependence of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
He said that only 45% of the country’s gas demand is currently being fulfilled through national production, while the remaining 55% is being fulfilled through imports.
Efforts are currently being made to restore the supply in Lahore, said the MD, and added that the complaints raised by Senator Kamil Ali Agha would be addressed personally.
The Committee was informed that during the month of Ramadán Solo, more than 25,000 consumer complaints were received regarding gas problems. In the last year, there were a total of 132,376 complaints about low pressure, with more than 131,000 resolved.
The MD SNGPL assured the legislators of the continuous efforts to improve the complaint response system.
After the informative session, the Senate Committee concluded the discussions about public complaints related to the gas supply, considering the issue resolved at the moment.
The oil minister, Ali Pervaiz Malik, also addressed the meeting, recognizing that the oil sector received less attention during the past year due to an elevated approach in the electricity sector. He pointed out that local gas consumption has constantly decreased, while imported LNG is now being used even for national stoves.
The minister also admitted that the implementation of policies regarding oil refineries is still pending, although he emphasized that the mineral sector is seeing a substantial foreign investment.
Meanwhile, the general director of Minerals informed the Committee on the Reko DIQ project, stating that production is expected to begin by 2028. The project has a projected useful life of 37 years and it is estimated that it will generate a cash flow of $ 70 billion.
