Gas crisis expected to be over in 2-3 days: PM’s aide

KARACHI: Pakistan is expected to receive a major LNG shipment in next two to three days to tide industrial units over the recent gas crisis, a PM aide said.

Prime Minister Special Assistant on Power and Petroleum Tabish Gauhar said current gas crisis is temporary in nature.

“I am expecting a major improvement in coming 2-3 days as a major shipment of LNG [liquified natural gas] has arrived and will be transmitted and distributed through SSGCL [Sui Southern Gas Company Limited] system within few days,” Gauhar said during a meeting with leading businessmen and industrialists.

The government shut down gas to non-export industrial sector due to recurring maintenance works in the fields and shortfall aggravated by delay in LNG imports due to hype over the pricing of the fuel imported in the past.

Gauhar said the repair and maintenance works of the gas fields are mandatory and unavoidable and, the government is aware of the enormous challenges being faced by the industry and intends to take every possible measure to ease the crisis as early as possible.

He agreed to the recommendation that there should be a representative of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in SSGC to bring real industrial issues in the limelight.

Nasser Hyatt, president of FPCCI demanded immediate resumption of gas supply to Karachi’s industry, which has suffered unbearable losses due to the closure of gas supply to all industrial areas, which will adversely hurt the exports.

“We are paying up to 40 percent more than international competitors and yet we are not getting enough gas supply,” Zubair Motiwala, chairman of Businessmen Group said. “Current scenario of gas shortage in Karachi warrants that government should initiate an investigation. “The government should look at exports and tax collection numbers of Karachi and give due preference to the city accordingly.”

Karachi is only getting 380 million metric cubic feet gas, only 18 percent of the total gas supply, he said.

Shariq Vohra, president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry placed hopes on PM aide to make the voices of businesses heard.

Adeel Siddiqui, vice president of FPCCI said there is an “unimaginable catastrophic havoc” in Karachi and interior Sindh due to a widespread gas shortage and economic activities have come to a halt.

Rehan Chawla from Towel Association said export orders are bound to get delayed due to current disruption in gas supply and the government should provide a relief package.

Saleem Zaman, chairman of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry said the industry is on the verge of collapse and the “negligence on the part of the government makes them suffer again and again”.

Jawaid Bilwani of Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association said majority of exporters are devastated by the current crisis and skeptical about meeting orders on time.