To address the envisaged urea shortage, Minister for Industries and Production Liaquat Ali Jatoi held meetings with various stakeholders here on Tuesday.
After threadbare discussion and taking into account all aspects of the problem, the manufacturers were asked to increase urea production as well as its supply to the market and, in return, they were ensured continuous supply of gas.
During the meetings, Dawood Hercules Fertiliser Company promised an additional production of 70,000 tons urea in Rabi season.
FFJ (Bin Qasim) promised to increase 62,000 tons; F F C 42,000 tons; NFC 51,550 tons; and Engro Chemicals from 15,000 to 20,000 tons since there was no additional requirement by Engro and considering the plants were running on maximum capacity promised to give an additional production of 15,000 to 20,000 tons during the same period.
The total additional production has been calculated at 245,550 tons during the next Rabi season.
The Minister accepted manufacturers' demand for additional gas supply. D.G, Gas, of Ministry of Petroleum, who was also present during the meetings, was directed to ensure additional gas to fertiliser manufacturers.
The exercise has been carried out by Minister for Industries and Production to avoid any import of urea fertiliser, which could cost heavily to Pakistan.