Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Haqan Abbasi on Saturday said that gas would be utilised for production of electricity to meet the growing demand across the country, adding that people of would soon see a visible reduction in load shedding hours.
He said that Compact Natural Gas (CNG) was not sufficient, adding that talks would be held with CNG associations to get Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) for fulfilling the demand of the consumers.
Talking to a private television channel, he said that the gas product would be utilised for the generation of electricity.
Moreover, he said that discussions would be held with CNG associations to introduce or convert the facility to LNG to facilitate the consumers. He said that gas was not sufficient for CNG.
Replying to a question regarding reduction in the timing of electricity load shedding, he said that there would be a visible difference soon.
Furthermore, he stressed that closure of CNG on equality basis in the four provinces would be ensured.
However, he said that people of the country would have a tough choice to make between electricity and CNG, as there were simply not enough funds for both.
He said at present 11 percent gas was being stolen due to technical line losses and other reasons which was an “alarming” figure. Furthermore, the minister stated that the government would make sure that the gas theft was put to an end, adding that maximum gas would be provided to power plants in order to control the load shedding. He said that there was only one visible solution to the problem; conversion of CNG to LNG.
Abbasi said continuity of policies was required to search new reserves of gas. He expressed ignorance about getting furnace oil from Saudi Arabia as loan. Furthermore, the minister said that in the briefing he came to know that the fertilizer factories were getting cheaper gas and stressed that rates should be equal for everyone.
The minister said that the people of Pakistan had voted their leaders to power with a purpose and they had a lot of expectations.
He stressed that power generation of the top most priority of the government.