Federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar, while discussing Pakistan’s gas crisis on the Geo News‘ programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, said that the media reports stating that the government had ordered gas supply only three times a day was “fake news”.
“First of all, this fake news [was associated with me] that gas will only be supplied three times a day,” he stated. “I was asked in the Senate about it to which I said the government never made any such commitment simply because it is not possible to do so.”
The minister said it is not “logistically possible” to cut off gas supply connections in people’s homes numerous times during the day to ensure that gas is available three times a day.
“We did, however, tell the gas companies to try and prioritise gas pressure for domestic consumers three times a day when people prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” he clarified.
Earlier in November, the government decided to provide gas to the residential sector only three times a day for cooking purposes throughout December to March to minimise gas shortages in Pakistan.
“Gas to residential sector shall be provided three times a day for cooking only,” the meeting was informed by the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division), who added that Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) diversion to domestic consumers is to be made bare minimum for stability.
This was all decided by Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) during a meeting presided over by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar. This is part of the Gas Load Management Plan for winter 2021-22, which was presented to the committee.
