LAHORE
In most of developed countries,a single energy source is provided at the domestic and commercial levels to make best use for industrial and agricultural sectors whereas in Pakistan both resources power and gas is supplied at household level badly hampering economic growth especially during peak winter season.
Speaking at a seminar on “Use of Energy for Economic Growth “held under the aegis of Gold Ring Economic Forum” here Thursday Coordinator to Federal Tax Ombudsman Meher Kashif Younis said Pakistan is the most gas-intense country in the world.He said over the years, the gas has been used quite injudiciously of which 50 percent is consumed by household consumers thus depriving the industry of its major share.
He said although 78 percent of domestic households have no access to natural gas in Pakistan.He said the domestic sector gas consumption has grown 11 percent over the years— maximum growth among all the sectors.
He said Pakistan has less than One percent share in world gas consumption which are met through imported and indigenous resources.
He said gas is the third largest energy source consumed around the world.He said natural gas and LNG contribute more than 40 percent to the country’s current energy mix including gas used in power generation.
Meher Kashif Younis said disruption of energy supplies from the world’s largest supplier Russia is resulting in a hike in energy prices throughout the world.
He said this a significant setback for an oil importing country like Pakistan,thereby shrinking the country’s purchasing power even more.
He cautioned that Pakistan is facing a severe gas shortage and urgently needs to carefully assess its strategic position in the global and regional context and more informal but timely decisions that are essential for its survival.
