NA body asks govt to implement GSAs with various sectors

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly's Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources on Thursday asked the government to implement gas supply agreements (GSAs) with various sectors in letter and spirit and take measure to reduce gas theft.

Petroleum Ministry and gas companies tried that the committee should recommend immediate disconnection of gas supply to industrial and CNG sectors. Jamshed Dasti and Barjees Tahir opposed the move by arguing that the committee should be apprised of the steps taken to implement the agreements on gas supply and measures to control the gas theft.

Jamshed Dasti wanted to know why the gas supply to the factory owned by Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar could not be stopped even during gas shortage period. He questioned as to who was pressurizing SNGPL to divert gas to industrial sector from the CNG sector. Barjees Tahir asked the officials to present solution instead of asking the committee to give recommendations.

Chairman Talib Hassan Nakai supported their demand and said more thinking was required on finding the solution. He also stressed that the ministry should take steps to create awareness among the people about the need for gas conservation in wake of low supply.

Rana Afzal Hussain of PML-N demanded a complete ban on the supply of gas to industries and CNG sector as well as bringing the CNG prices at par with the petrol and diesel prices. He said that the theft in CNG sector was resulting due to the involvement of gas companies' staff.

Petroleum Minister said tough decisions were needed to end gas load shedding. He said the ministry had proposed to the government that PDL on petrol should be reduced for maintaining petrol price, as the prices of CNG would rise from next year. This will allow reaching a middle point to end demand for gas. The minister stated that the government has planned to increase CNG prices by Rs13 in first phase and it may go to Rs79 per kg from its current level of Rs66 per kg.

MD SNGPL said that the company had sacked a GM, five officers and 18 staff members while investigations were on against 106 more people. When the committee members asked for names, he said that he had not the names with him but would submit to the committee later on. He said SNGPL has started disconnection campaign for industrial sector and out of 4200 connections 2060 connections have been cut and the remaining would be disconnected in next two days. The government confirmed Rs13 increase in per kg price of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain, while talking to group of journalists confirmed that the CNG would be available at Rs 79 per kg from January 2012. He cautioned that suspension of the CNG supply to filling stations and industries would continue even next month.

Hussain claimed that the decision was taken because Pakistan was facing shortage of one billion cubic foot of gas. "There was no other option, but to increase the price," he told reporters.