Gas pilferers to be brought to account: Dr Asim

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LAHORE: Law would take its course against gas pilferers regardless their political affiliations, said Prime Minister's adviser on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain. We are committed to seal all sources of gas theft and bring defaulters to book, he added. Speaking at Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), he said the prevalent gas crisis would continue to persist for another next two years as they were looking for new avenues to meet the local demand.

He said, owing to gas management system they had succeeded in bringing significant improvement in flow of gas system. He said, negotiations to import LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) from Qatar was underway and project would be materialised only after NOC from the Economic Coordination Committee. Iranian gas pipeline was still 100 kilometre away from Pakistani border for which $2,500 million were required while the government had arranged a big portion out of the amount required for the project. He said the government was pursuing a policy to snub

reckless use of CNG and for this it was reducing CNG consumption in a phased manner. He said though the government had put strict ban on installation of new CNG stations but on the other its demand had increased manifold. He said, wastage of CNG in public transport was adversely affecting country's economy and the industry as well.

There would be a dearth of around 100mmcf gas in upcoming winter season saying the government on its part was contemplating to introduce LPG system in the country. Under the system, LPG would have to be imported, as according to him it was the quickest source to get gas to meet the local demand. About gas generators, Asim said a policy was being devised under which every user of 500 KW generator would have to pay 25 percent extra in its gas bill.

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