ECC announces zero gas load shedding during winter

ISLAMABAD - The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet chaired by Finance Minister Asad Umar has announced that there would be no load-shedding of gas for domestic consumers during winter season.

According to a communique issued on Tuesday, the decision to provide relief to the public was made after the secretary for the Petroleum Division presented the winter gas load management plan during a meeting of the committee.

The body also decided that 150-200 mmcfd of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) will be added into the system to overcome the gas shortage.

"ECC allowed SNGPL [Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited] to utilise RLNG in the system for consumption by domestic and commercial consumers, to manage the load," stated the press release.

With the advent of winter, Gas load-shedding affects domestic as well as commercial consumers across Pakistan. The authorities try hard to cope up with the crisis but they considerably fail in their efforts.

Tandoors To Bag Relief

The committee also decided that a recent increase in gas prices will not be applicable on tandoors, allowing the owners to continue with the previously applicable rates.

The decision was taken considering the concerns that the increase in gas prices consequently led to increase in the prices of tandoori naan and roti.

The participants also decided to allow the Power Division to raise Rs38 billion through Islamic financing.