PM defers increase in gas tariff

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday deferred the gas tariff revision as per the agreement with IMF and instead asked the SNGPL and SSGC to address the cross cutting issues, corruption and line losses in the system and adopt austerity.

In a video message after the Energy Committee meeting presided over by the prime minister here, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said this and ruled out any increase in gas tariff. The meeting, explained, thrashed out priorities for a broad strategy with regard to addressing the issues and problems of gas consumers and the prime minister told the energy minister in categorical term that more burden must not be put on consumers in any way and the related IMF agreement be deferred.

The prime minister emphasised that the burden on gas consumers should be lessened and asked the SNGPL and SSGPL companies to address the cross cutting issues, take austerity measures and control line losses and take effective measures on gas pilferage.

He insisted that the burden of line losses and gas pilferage must not be shifted to consumers and reforms should be introduced in the sector in a transparent way in areas, where these were required.

The prime minister asked the Energy Committee to take the reforms agenda to the ECC and then be presented before him and consumer-related issues be reduced as much as possible and then smoothen gas supply to rural population be ensured.

He also directed that alternative ways and means be proposed for the industrial and commercial sector, which use piped gas and they be shifted to LNG, LPG and other best possible options and gas supply to the consumers be ensured uninterrupted.

The prime minister, she noted, had a very clear stance that come what may, masses should not be burdened further rather a line of action be finalised for relief to them in the present day circumstances and the Election Relief Package be implemented so that consumers get practically relief as early as possible at gas offices.