As the country prepares for winter chilly weather over the coming weeks the Secretary of State of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik, on Wednesday stated that his government is in the process of preparing the “effective” plan for the continuous supply of gas throughout the winter season.
In a press conference in the capital city of the nation the state minister stated that arrangements were created to allow access to the amount of gas available this year.
The minister said that the government was working on plans to develop an “effective” plan for the continuous delivery of gas to citizens during winter and added that the country could become self-sufficient in the energy sector in three or four years.
The government is trying to lower the cost of electricity and gas He added.
In the year 2000, the nation confronted a serious gas crisis that impacted the average person as well as industrialists. Since restaurants, tea shops , and hotels have increased the price of food because of the escalating inflation, many could not pay for meals from food outlets as well.
The industries were forced to stop the production process — an event that had a major impact on the country’s income generation.
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Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) is a public policy think body – in its most recent research report about “Gas Crises in Pakistan” found that 78 percent of households of the country were not able to access natural gas. Meanwhile, exploration and production of gas had dropped in the country.
The PIDE brief said that gas was the third most consumed energy source throughout the globe. But, Pakistan had less than an one percent share in the world’s gas consumption.
In recent times the demand for gas has risen dramatically in the country. However, exploration for gas and production decreased, while a the weak LNG operation and regulation frameworks lead to an overall shortage and higher cost of supply.
The previous administrations were diverting LNG during winter to prevent a gas crisis however the present administration had not made any arrangement to supply it to the consumer.
In the meantime, the shortage of fuel supplies and gas to Europe caused by the war between Ukraine and Russia could eventually affect Middle Eastern sellers who are the main importer from Pakistan.
A study showed it was found that Pakistan had a gaz supply of 4300 cubic feet daily (mmcfd) as compared to an average demand of between 6,500 and 7,000 millimeters per cubic foot. In the winter months the demand can rise to 8000 millimeters per cubic foot. So, it is possible to have an insufficient amount of 3,500 mmcfd.
