Hanif Gohar, Chairman, Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) has demanded of the government to lift the ban on new gas connections to all residential societies. "More than 100 residential societies are being developed annually across the country and like high-rise buildings, these projects are also denied new gas connections due to moratorium imposed by the government," he said.
He further stated that non-availability of gas connections was causing unrest among the people who had booked their units in these projects and builders' investments were also blocked. He said that had slowed down the pace of construction activities in the country. Keeping the said problem in view, he said that the ABAD had also sent a letter to the Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural resources for lifting ban on gas connections for these societies as well.
ABAD Chairman also demanded that the cap on gas connections to residential societies should also be removed immediately to provide relief to the allottees. He opined that the removal of ban on gas connections for all residential projects would help reviving the country's economy. Replying to a question, he said that there would be no gas shortage after the import of the LNG from Qatar hence government had to make gas distribution system more effective to meet the gas demand of household and industry.
He thanked the Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources for lifting moratorium on gas connections to high-rise residential buildings across the country. ABAD Chairman also thanked the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for their cooperation in this regard.