LAHORE: Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said Sunday Pakistan would start selling excess liquefied natural gas LNG) in international markets from January 1.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister said Pakistan had been importing gas from Qatar and Italian energy company ENI, but there was an excess of this imported gas as its use for power generation had reduced over the past few months.
As a result, he said, the government was compelled to divert it to domestic consumers, due to which circular debt was rising in the gas sector. It has also caused a loss of around Rs1,000 billion to Pakistan since 2018-19, he added.
“From January 1, we will sell this excess fuel in international markets and reduce our burden while limiting the loss caused by it,” he added.
Malik said that in recent months, there was a strong public demand to eliminate the use of substandard gas cylinders, which has now been addressed.
He said 250,000 to 300,000 new gas connections are being provided, and efforts are underway to offer maximum relief to the public during winter.
The minister said the government was trying to overcome the circular debt, while a Turkish petroleum company was set to open its office in Islamabad, creating new jobs for Pakistanis.
He added that reliance on imported oil and gas was being reduced and that an Azerbaijani delegation will visit Pakistan soon for this purpose.
He announced that a new pipeline from Maachike to Thallian is being laid, while the global energy transition from oil to electricity is being closely observed.
Work on copper exploration in Pakistan is accelerating, with 3.5 billion dollars in investment expected soon.
He added that international institutions are preparing major investments Balochistan.
The minister said the Reko Diq project’s inauguration ceremony will be held at the Prime Minister’s Office within two months, adding that Pakistan will soon be exporting 400,000 tons of copper. Several more Reko Diq-related projects are also underway.
He stressed that nations progress only when politics is separated from national interest.
While constructive criticism is welcome, he said, the focus should be on improving governance rather than dragging each other down. “The state is more important than any individual,” he added.
Responding to political tensions, the minister questioned how dialogue can be expected when Pakistan Army soldiers are being martyred and certain individuals ridicule the armed forces.
He said some people consider themselves above the state and insult national institutions.
He noted that the DG ISPR chose his words very carefully. “We attend the funerals of our soldiers every day. The state will always remain,” he said.
He added that no political party should be banned as long as it behaves like a political party and refrains from violent acts such as throwing petrol bombs. He said PTI should acknowledge its mistakes and feel remorse. “Politics and terrorism are two different things,” he said.
Pervez Malik said Pakistan’s importance has been firmly re-established at the international level, adding that global powers, including the United States, now recognize Pakistan’s role and relevance.
Speaking to the media here on Sunday, he said the notification of Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Hafiz Asim Munir has been issued, emphasizing that if all branches of the armed forces work together “they can defeat even a much stronger enemy.” He said the purpose of the notification was to further enhance coordination among all the forces.
Malik said he prays that Field Marshal Asim Munir continues to safeguard the country with the same dedication. He credited Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar for presenting Pakistan’s case globally in an excellent manner, stating that both leaders worked tirelessly to improve the nation’s image abroad.
He said the prime minister’s full focus is on public service, and the government has managed to control financial deficits.
He noted that excessive printing of currency fuels inflation, but the government has reduced taxes and is trying to keep inflation under control. He stressed the need to improve exports and create respectable employment opportunities for the youth.
