Karachi : Chairman of the Boltan Market Tajir Ittehad Association, Sharif Memon, strongly reacted to Federal Minister Musadiq Malik’s statement regarding the non-provision of gas to the public and industry for 24 hours, saying that the shortage of gas is causing difficulties for the people during sehri and iftar due to the unavailability of gas. The issue of gas shortage in the country has not been resolved for 20 years. The production demand is four billion cubic feet per day, while the demand is six billion cubic feet per day. Sharif Memon said that the rich class is benefiting from the gas subsidy, while the problems of gas theft and other losses in this sector are increasing. Despite the continuous increase in gas prices, the losses in this sector have reached up to eighteen percent. The mismanagement of this sector is at its peak, which will prove to be the worst for the people and the business community. Sharif Memon said that the revolving loan of the gas sector will soon cross the mark of one trillion rupees. He said that the situation for the discovery of new gas reserves in the country is disappointing. Iran and Turkmenistan are facing a halt in gas revenue, while the purchase of LNG has become impossible because European countries are paying the international suppliers exorbitant prices for gas after a decrease in gas supply from Russia. Pakistan is not in a position to compete with such countries. Sharif Memon said that with the increasing population and industrial activities, the demand for gas in the country is also increasing, which is more than six billion cubic feet per day, while the production is only four billion cubic feet per day.
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