KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Monday agreed to increase gas supply to the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) after assurances by the power utility about payment of outstanding dues. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting called at the Governor House here on the intervention of Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan who took notice of worsening power loadshedding in the metropolis, said a handout issued from the Governor House on Monday night.
The meeting was attended by SSGC board chairman Shahid Aziz Siddiqui, Member Board Mehmood Mirza, MD SSGC Zaheer Siddiqui, CEO KESC Nayyar Iqbal, Financial Adviser Tareen, CFO Monis, Director Co-ordination Osama Qureshi and Aqil Kareem Dhedhi. Following an increase in gas supply, the additional power load-shedding is expected to end by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, and there will be no load-shedding in industrial areas. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad said that the dues related matters between the KESC and the SSGC have been resolved amicably. Both the institutions have expressed determination to promote mutual co-operation, he added.
The KESC assured the meeting that they would stick to payment schedule. The Governor Sindh dispelled the impression that increase in load-shedding was result of any discrimination and said it was related to payment of dues. He said presently all the institutions are facing payment issues and expressed his confidence that the newly elected government will resolve this matter through their farsightedness. Dr Ishratul Ebad said SSGC has issued directive for the increase in gas supply to the KESC and the power utility would start receiving 180MMCFD by midnight and it would reach 220 MMCFD by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. The KESC promised that it will pay the agreed amount of dues with the current bill to the gas utility which will reduce outstanding dues.