The Ministry of Petroleum (MoP) on Thursday informed the economic monitory committee (EMC) meeting, with Finance Minister Syed Naveed Qamar in the chair, that the government should get ready for facing acute gas load shedding in the upcoming winter season.
Sources said the officials of MoP presented to the committee a possible gas management scenario for the winter season to strike a balance between different categories of the consumers. The committee was informed that the previous government's politically motivated schemes for the supply of gas to different areas - consumption of domestic sector - had increased manifold during the last couple of years.
They in particular mentioned New Murree, which was conceived, projected and sponsored by Chaudharies of Gujrat. Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Ahmed Waqar, who heads a special committee, briefed the EMC about natural gas allocation and its management policy, which prioritised the domestic and commercial sectors that also took into account of the entire range of industries. The FBR Chairman further briefed the EMC on proposed outline of natural fuel policy.
The Finance Minister directed the committee to hold in-depth deliberations on the issue of national fuel policy that addressed that all input-based production factors, concerning the entire range of gas-petroleum products. The committee was advised to complete its homework in the shortest possible time and submit its recommendations for government approval.
The committee was further advised to incorporate input of all stakeholders in the policy. The EMC, in its earlier meeting held on September 4, has constituted a committee, headed by the FBR Chairman with Secretaries of Ministries of Petroleum, Food and Agriculture, Commerce and Industries as members to deliberate on the issue of gas supply to all stakeholders that included power generation units.
The Ministry of Petroleum briefed the EMC on gas supply and demand issues in upcoming winter. The Finance Minister directed the EMC that all fuel prices be regulated by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) while exercising vigilance over HSFO prices.
The Minfal informed the EMC that wheat and flour prices had stabilised in provinces, excluding some parts of Punjab, which was being taken care of by the relevant government departments for ensuring uninterrupted wheat and flour supply. The Finance Minister directed the Minfal to increase imported wheat releases in the provinces to ease the situation.
The Finance Minister directed the Ministry of Industries/USC to improve availability and quality of essential commodities at USC through appropriate monitoring. The Minfal briefed the EMC about modalities of wheat import from the US under PL-480 scheme, which had been finalised and agreement would be signed before September 15, adding that shipment would start in October.
The Minfal further informed the EMC that purchase of wheat on deferred payments under GSM scheme is under progress. The Finance Minister directed the Minfal to ensure adequate supply of white wheat to NWFP and Balochistan, adding that the Minfal and the Ministry of Industries/USC should ensure availability of mixed flour at USC in other provinces.
The Minfal was further advised to complete its deliberations/homework for import of white wheat from Canada on deferred payment. The Minfal informed the EMC that 22,000 tones of urea had arrived in Karachi on September 3 and its transportation/distribution in deficient areas/pockets of the country was being ensured.
Earlier, the Chairman of National Fertiliser Corporation briefed the EMC about the distribution of urea in the country in addition to the distribution arrangements made by the private producers.
He said that a total of 131 outlets of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) and National Fertilisers Marketing Limited (NFML) had been set up for the prompt distribution of 28,000 tones of urea. Earlier, the EMC directed the Ministry of Commerce to seek ECC approval/clearance on issues of imported wheat's unloading at Karachi/Gawadar and its transportation up north.
The officials of the Ministry of Industries and USC briefed the EMC on wheat allocation/availability with the USC and its subsequent distribution to consumers at convenient prices, adding that the USC was using its countrywide network for distribution of urea to farmers as approved by the EMC. The EMC directed the Ministry of Industries/USC to ensure efficient delivery of fertiliser to farmers through its sales outlets.
The Minfal secretary told the EMC about its future planning to overseas and regulate domestic urea production and import in a manner that domestic crop producers face no problems. The Minfal informed the EMC that rice prices in domestic market had gone down, and other foodgrain prices also remained stable. The EMC expressed satisfaction over it, advising the Minfal to continuously monitor foodgrain prices and ensure stability.