ISLAMABAD – Sensing the outrage over exorbitant gas bills, Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ghulam Sarwar Khan has announced that the government will review the new slab of gas bills.
In an interaction with newsmen on Friday, the minister maintained that the recent hike in gas bills is under scrutiny adding that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was ramping up the pressure to increase gas prices since January.
The recent surge in gas prices angered the public. Railways Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed also expressed in a TV show that he received Rs 40,000 bill for gas.
Separately, a press release issued by the ministry stated that the visit of Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman was the success of economic diplomacy between Pakistan and the kingdom.
’10 MoUs including a $10 billion Oil refinery and petrochemical complex would be signed with the Saudi Government during the visit,’ it stated.
The minister remarked that previous governments established personal relations with Saudi Arabia and China whereas under the vision of a ‘Naya Pakistan’, Prime Minister Imran Khan has focused on developing ties based on mutual respect and national interests.
He asserted that the Saudi side had indicated about the capacity of proposed oil refinery to be between 250,000-300,000 bpd (11-13 million tons per annum) and initially Islamabad and Riyadh would study the feasibility of the proposed project after signing the MOU.
Federal Minister for Petroleum continued that the visiting side has also expressed interest in mines, minerals, fertilizers, phosphate and LNG storage capacity.
Saudi Arabia has also expressed strong interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan’s Petrochemical sector, the minister said.
The 33-year-old Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman would be landing in Pakistan on Saturday for which preparations have been finalized in Islamabad.
The ambitious royal would be visiting Pakistan on his first-ever state visit to Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to personally welcome the guest who would stay at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
Agreements worth $20b are expected to be signed during the two-day tour of the crown prince.
