ACCORDING to media reports, the government has decided to issue clear directions to the northern and southern Sui gas companies to start giving RLNG connections to all housing societies that are not connected with the natural gas distribution network at full price. The RLNG cost of over $12 per MMBtu (Rs3700 per MMBtu) will fully be recovered from the dwellers of the housing socities including transportation and distribution allowed losses.
The country is facing severe shortage of gas in view of fast depleting local reserves and inability of the successive governments to materialize IP and TAPI gas pipeline projects due to strategic and financial issues. However, our own experience shows import of gas is the only solution to the woes of the country and its growing number of consumers. The timely measures taken by the then Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for import of gas from Qatar under a government-to-government arrangement almost resolved the issue but it again re-surfaced due to lack of vision and inaction in subsequent years. Regrettably, we politicized a highly valuable accord with a brotherly country and halted plans for construction of LNG terminals. It is because of the shortages that there is a complete ban on new gas connections and presently 3.3 million applications are pending with the gas companies. The decision to provide RLNG supplies to about two hundred housing societies would not only resolve the problems being faced by their residents but also ease the situation for those connected with the gas pipeline network. Those living in housing societies and not getting piped gas are already paying for the use of cylindered gas and it will not make much difference for them if they are regularly provided RLNG at a higher cost. Authorities concerned, in close coordination with the private sector, must develop necessary infrastructure in the country for import of additional RLNG and come out with a lucrative incentive package to encourage greater use of solar energy which offers an opportunity to address recurring energy shortages.
