Musadik Malik, minister of state for petroleum, says that natural gas cannot be provided continuously because reserves are dwindling in the greater part of the country. He might be alluding to the supply of gas to domestic customers. The worst form of natural resource waste is the provision of petrol to domestic customers, which needs to be discouraged at all levels.
He asserted that Balochistan’s private sector was receiving too much gas, which had led to a shortage. The gas reserves of Pakistan are being depleted by 10% annually. For the entire nation, we only have 1,600mmcfd of petrol remaining, despite the rising demand.
At the time of Partition, Pakistan was with abundant natural gas reserves, but unfortunately, it has been unable to utilize its resources efficiently. The misuse of natural gas deposits has become a significant challenge for the country, leading to severe economic and environmental issues.
One of the most significant issues is the diversion of natural gas towards non-productive sectors such as households and the transportation sector. Due to the low prices of natural gas, people use it for heating and cooking purposes, resulting in a significant drain on resources. The government also subsidizes natural gas prices, which further encourages people to use it excessively. As a result, the industrial sector, which needs natural gas for production, faces a severe shortage of natural gas, hindering the country’s economic growth.
Experts have pointed out the lack of investment in the exploration and production of natural gas reserves. Due to this, the country is unable to extract the full potential of its reserves, resulting in declining production levels. The government has also failed to encourage foreign investment in this sector, leading to an inadequate exploration of natural gas reserves.
Moreover, the country’s outdated gas infrastructure is another significant issue, resulting in the wastage of natural gas. Due to the inadequate pipeline system, gas leaks occur frequently, resulting in environmental degradation and the loss of natural resources.
The minister has pointed out the critical misuse of natural gas deposits in Pakistan, but only pointing them out will do no service. Mr Malik, being the minister, needs to address the disease as well. The government needs to take concrete steps to encourage efficient utilization of resources, such as setting realistic gas prices, investing in infrastructure development, and encouraging foreign investment in the sector. By doing so, the country can unlock the full potential of its natural gas reserves, leading to economic growth and environmental sustainability.
