ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to finalise a comprehensive winter gas load management plan and take all measures necessary to maintain uninterrupted gas imports amid the prevailing regional situation.
The directives were issued during a meeting chaired by the prime minister to review preparations for managing gas demand and supply during the upcoming winter season.
Officials briefed the meeting on the country’s gas supply position and the advance measures being taken to manage winter demand.
The meeting was informed that locally produced gas would be given priority for domestic consumers, while imported RLNG would be prioritised for power generation and industrial requirements.
The government will also launch a public awareness campaign to encourage households to use alternative energy sources in place of local gas for certain applications.
Authorities are simultaneously working to ensure uninterrupted transmission of gas from reserves located in northern parts of the country.
The prime minister directed the relevant authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted gas imports in view of the prevailing regional situation.
The meeting also considered a proposal to provide bank financing facilities for electricity-powered appliances used for water and space heating.
The proposed financing mechanism is intended to encourage consumers to adopt electric appliances for heating requirements and reduce dependence on gas during periods of high winter demand.
The government’s advance planning comes as authorities prepare to balance competing requirements from households, power producers and industrial consumers.
Under the proposed approach, domestic consumers would receive priority in the allocation of local gas, while RLNG would be directed towards sectors where imported gas is required to meet demand.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Industries Haroon Akhtar, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiani and senior officials attended the meeting.
The prime minister directed the authorities to complete preparations in advance so that winter gas requirements can be managed through a coordinated supply and demand strategy.
