Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday directed gas companies to end gas shortfall in the country within a week. Imran Khan while chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy directed the officials of gas companies- Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company to ensure that the smooth supply of gas within a week. The meeting was held on Tuesday.
The cabinet committee was informed that an estimated 12-13 percent gas in the system was being pilfered and annual losses in gas sector was around Rs 50 billion which was very high.
The prime minister directed the concerned authority to resolve the issue of gap in demand and supply of gas through better coordination. The committee directed Prime Minister Task Force for Energy to come with a comprehensive plan for getting accurate estimates for demand and supply of gas especially in winter season. The task force was tasked to prepare plan with coordination with Energy Ministry and Petroleum Division.
Prime Minister was also submitted a report on a recent gas crisis in the country, which identified the individuals responsible for shortfall in gas supply.
The prime minister was given detail briefing on the measures taken to meeting the growing demand of gas to the consumers. The managing director of SNGPL informed the members of committee about steps taken o discourage illegal use of gas compressors and 5,000 gas connections were disconnected in this respect.
A detailed briefing was also given on power pilferage, during which, officials said up to Rs1.5 billion were saved in November 2018 as a result of a campaign against power theft.
They said so far, 16,000 cases were registered over electricity theft. Prime Minister directed to further speed up campaign against power pilferage.
He said that consumers bearing the brunt of someone's theft and mismanagement were unacceptable.
The government was introducing a new policy for development of renewable energy sources. The policy is aimed at full usage of indigenous resources and resolution facing the energy sector.
The committee meeting was attended by Finance Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar, Energy Minister Umar Ayub and others.-PR