‘International market determines POL prices, not us’

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain said that the petroleum prices would be raised according to the international market rates.
Talking to Pakistan Television (PTV), he said that there was a chance to raise the petroleum prices this time as per their rising trend in the international market. However, the final decision to change the prices will be taken by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), he added.
Replying to a question about the closure of CNG stations, he said that the country had no capacity to provide gas to all the CNG stations. “There are two options: either we have to phase out the CNG stations in few years or CNG will have to be provided just to the public transport while the private vehicles will be transferred to Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).”
Dr Asim said that the policy-makers and public should take this difficult decision to save industry, fertilizers and power sector because as “we have limited gas.” “We are not giving required gas to the power sector. In coming winter our industry can be closed due to shortage of gas and even it will be difficult for us to fulfill the domestic requirements,” he added.
Replying to a question about the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) project, Dr Asim Hussain said some anti-Pakistan forces were making propaganda against the project. However, the government was consciously working on this project. “We have nominated a partner for the LNG project and also discussed it in different meetings”.