ECC allocates 22 MMCFD gas from fields to gas companies

ISLAMABAD: A meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee, chaired by Finance Minister Asad Umar on Monday decided to allocate 22 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) gas from two gasfields into the systems of two gas companies.

The ECC also approved Rs 17 billion financial support package for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

The ECC decided to allocate 10 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) gas from the Bitrism gasfield to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL).

Meanwhile, 12MMCFD gas has been allocated from the Dhok Hussain gasfield to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

The ECC meeting decided to defer the decision on the Gas Load Management Plan for winter.

The Petroleum Ministry had earlier sent the summery of gas load management plan to the ECC for approval as complaints of low gas pressure and supply shortages have started to pour in.

The winter months from December to February, are expected to be tough for the urban dwellers due to shortfall of gas amid commitment by the new government to ensure uninterrupted gas supplies to the industrial sector.

The petroleum division has estimated up to 50pc gas shortfall to urban population in Punjab and to some extent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.