By: Syed Asif Ali Shah Lakyari
Despite the approval of tenders due to rising prices in the international market, the refusal of foreign dealers to supply LNG to Pakistan is a warning sign that the existing gas crisis in the country is likely to intensify. It is recommended that in view of the aggregate demand and supply situation, the supply of natural gas to all these industrial units which also generate electricity from gas for specific purposes should be stopped from February 1. The shutdown could be on a long-term basis, to be decided by the Cabinet Energy Committee. According to reports, the government had issued a tender to import gas for February 28, but the prices in the global market went up till the contract was awarded, due to which the successful bidding companies stopped supplying LNG at the fixed rate. Sorry. One of the defaulting companies is from the United Arab Emirates. His cargo ship was scheduled to arrive in Pakistan in the second fortnight of February with gas, but the company stopped him and withdrew the money he had deposited as security. However, Pakistani authorities have agreed to supply gas to an Azerbaijani company. Pakistan Petroleum
Limited officials also contacted the second and third place bidders but they also refused to accept the gas supply offer. One of the reasons given by the successful bidders for the apology for the supply of gas was the delay in the approval of the tender, which led to an unexpected rise in prices in the global market during this period. In addition, some countries bought more gas and increased prices due to increased demand. This situation happened not only with Pakistan but also many other countries were affected as many other companies also defaulted. Imported gas is of great importance to both industries and domestic consumers. Gas for industries is essential for their production, which will cost them dearly and could affect many of the government’s economic goals. Lack of gas causes people to cut down trees for fuel, destroying forests. Domestic consumers are already crying out for severe gas shortages and are complaining about the lack of gas across the country in this severe winter. The crisis is most acute in densely populated areas, where gas cut-off has become a serious problem. Even if gas is cut off for general industry and captive power plants, the shortage cannot be eliminated. In many cities, domestic consumers are forced to protest against the unavailability of gas. In the protest procession taken out by the citizens in Lahore on Sunday, women were expressing their helplessness by playing pots and stoves. To alleviate the plight of consumers, the government will have to exploit the country’s natural gas reserves and until that happens, it will have to mobilize the private sector in addition to government agencies to procure imported gas. The government intends to take legal action against foreign dealers who do not supply gas despite the tender being approved. The government should blacklist the bidders who do not even care about forfeiture of collateral and for future gas procurement. Find other sources. The government will have to make effective decisions to keep the wheels of industry running and home stoves burning.