Khaqan Abbasi for privatisation of PIA to rehabilitate it

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has stressed that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) should be privatised to rehabilitate its condition.

Talking to ‘The News’ here, the federal minister agreed that at present PIA is not able to meet the demand of passengers due to shortage of planes. Against the required number of over 49 planes only 19 are operating which is insufficient to meet the demand of passengers. Due to insufficient number of planes, the passengers have no other option but to avail the services of other airlines.

When asked about the steps needed to revamp the condition of PIA, the minister without any hesitation said this airline needs to be privatised for not only rehabilitating it but also to improve its efficiency.

To another question related to raise in prices of petroleum products, the minister said that government never raises or reduces prices but it is done at international level. He said according to international market the prices of petroleum products are the lowest in Pakistan compared to other countries but the people never realise this fact. Over the last four years, the prices of petroleum products had fallen considerably in our country but no one appreciated it. When there is raise by Rs1 or Rs 2, people start to criticise without knowing the market rate at the international level. Prices of petroleum products go up and down in accordance with the international market, he said.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while responding to a question about outstanding dues of governmental departments standing against the oil companies said Rs400 billion has to be paid by Iesco and Rs15 billion by PIA. Similarly, Steel Mills which was defaulter of Rs32 billion failed to clear its dues and supply of petroleum products have been suspended to it.

When asked about any action to be taken against Iesco if dues are not cleared, the minister said supply of fuel to it could not be suspended to it at any cost as it would result in power suspension. Anyhow, efforts are underway to recover the outstanding dues from Iesco. The dues could be claimed from this power company through instalments, he said.

When questioned about problem of low to zero gas pressures in winter season, the minister vowed that in the next season, there would be no problem of gas in the country. “We are working on projects to improve the situation of gas supply which would bring positive results. The people would not face problem of low to zero gas pressure from the next winter season and would avail this facility in abundance,” he added.

Similarly, to another question, the minister stated that there will be no increase in the gas rates. He did not agree that inflated amounts are charged in gas bills. Amount is claimed from consumers in accordance with the consumption of gas by them. No wrong meter reading is made except of few cases which are rectified on the notice by consumers, the minister said.

When his attention was drawn towards complaints of consumers related to inflated amounts being charged by Sui Gas authorities on provisional bills, the minister while disagreeing claimed that no wrong amount is charged from the consumers if reading of units is not made. There is check and balance on gas bills and the authorities in SNGPL could not claim huge amounts on provisional bills, he said.