PM directs for ending gas shortfall within a week

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday directed concerned authorities to resolve the issue of gas shortfall in the country with a week's time.

The prime minister gave the directives while presiding a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy in Islamabad. The meeting was briefed about steps taken to address gap in demand and supply of gas in the country.

Khan directed concerned officials to ensure that the gas shortfall ends within a week.

The managing director of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) informed the participants about steps taken against the use of gas compressors and that 5,000 gas connections were disconnected over the use of illegal compressors.

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 case were registered over electricity theft.

The cabinet committee was informed that around 12-13 percent gas in the system was being pilfered and yearly losses in gas sector were up to Rs50 billion.

The prime minister directed officials to resolve the issue of gap in demand and supply of gas through improved coordination, and to further speed up campaign against power pilferage.

"People bearing the brunt of someone's theft and mismanagement is unacceptable," Khan asserted.

He was also presented a report on a recent gas crisis in the country, which identified the individuals responsible for suspension of gas supply primarily in Sindh.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the PM's office said the government was introducing a new policy regarding renewable energy.

The policy is aimed at full usage of national resources and resolution facing the energy sector, the spokesman added.