Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday underscored the need for ‘national consensus’ to steer Pakistan out of the gas crisis.
Addressing a seminar on Natural Gas Supply in Islamabad, he pointed out that the indigenous gas reserves are depleting and the country is now importing the gas.
The prime minister, however, said there is a big difference in the price of domestic gas and the imported gas. This is resulting in the increase of circular debt in the gas sector.
He pointed out that 27 percent of our households have access to piped gas whilst the remaining rely on the LPG cylinders which is four times more expensive than the piped gas. He said the subsidy should be such that facilitates the poor lot.
The premier regretted that no long term planning was done in the past to cope with the energy crisis.
He added that no effort was made to exploit the hydro potential of the country to produce cheap electricity.
“We are grateful to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) for renegotiating the contracts with the government,” PM Imran said.
He said we will apprise the nation next week about the savings to be accrued from these renewal of contracts that will help reduce burden on the people.
The prime minister directed to prepare a roadmap to steer the country out of gas crisis.
