Petroleum minister orders urgent action on Balochistan gas

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik has directed the relevant authorities to address gas supply problems in Balochistan on a priority basis.

He issued the instructions while chairing a meeting of the Board of Directors of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) in Karachi. The meeting reviewed the company’s operations and discussed challenges affecting gas distribution, particularly in Balochistan.

The minister stressed the need for immediate measures to tackle gas theft, technical faults and infrastructure-related bottlenecks that continue to affect the gas supply system in the province.

Ali Pervaiz Malik said improving the reliability of the gas network required stronger institutional performance and effective management of the existing infrastructure. He directed the SSGC board to take practical steps to improve the company’s sustainability and operational efficiency.

The minister also called for a review of the existing gas subsidy mechanism and pricing slabs. He emphasised the need to examine the current system to ensure that subsidies and gas prices are managed in a more effective and sustainable manner.

He said the government was pursuing comprehensive reforms in the gas sector with the support of the World Bank. The reforms are aimed at addressing structural weaknesses and improving the overall performance of the sector.

The meeting also reviewed the current gas supply situation for different consumer categories. Officials informed participants that there was currently no gas load-shedding for K-Electric, industrial consumers and fertiliser plants.

Domestic consumers, meanwhile, were being supplied gas three times a day, according to the briefing.