ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities to prepare a comprehensive gas load management plan for the winter season and ensure all necessary measures are taken in advance to manage supply and demand.
The prime minister chaired a meeting on winter gas load management, where relevant authorities briefed participants on the country’s gas demand and supply situation and measures being taken ahead of the winter season.
The meeting was informed that domestic gas supplies would be prioritised for household consumers during winter.
Meanwhile, RLNG would be prioritised to meet the requirements of power generation and industries, according to the briefing.
The government also plans to launch a public awareness campaign to encourage households to use alternative energy sources instead of relying on locally produced gas for certain requirements.
The prime minister was informed that measures were also being taken to ensure uninterrupted transmission of gas from reserves located in the northern areas of the country.
In view of the prevailing regional situation, the prime minister directed the authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted imports of gas.
The meeting also considered a proposal to introduce bank financing facilities to encourage consumers to use electricity-powered appliances for water and space heating during winter.
The proposed financing facility could support greater use of electric heating equipment and help reduce pressure on the gas supply system during periods of peak winter demand.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Industries Haroon Akhtar, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kiani and senior government officials.
The government’s winter gas planning comes as authorities seek to ensure uninterrupted supplies while balancing the requirements of households, power generation and industrial consumers.