The government is likely to approve allocation of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to private housing societies next week, it is learnt. Officials privy to the developments told Business Recorder that due to shortage of locally-produced natural gas the high-end private housing societies such as Bahria Town, Defense Housing Society and Top City have requested the ministry of petroleum to allocate bulk LNG for domestic use. If permission is granted, it is believed that it would relieve the pressure on indigenous gas resources.

Local gas is supplied to domestic consumers at the rate of Rs 6 per mmbtu while LNG will be supplied at Rs 12 per mmbtu. While shortages in supply of domestic gas become acute during the winter months in upcountry areas however LNG supply will be subject to the arrival of vessels from Qatar which may be delayed for some reason or the other, officials told this correspondent.

Next week a high level meeting will deliberate on supplying LNG to housing societies and it is likely to receive the go-ahead.

Awami Muslim League''s (AML) President Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has accused Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of corruption/kick-backs in the 15 year LNG deal signed February 2015 between Pakistan and Qatar.

Talking to Business Recorder Sheikh Rashid said that the PML-N struck the LNG deal with Qatar government through one of Nawaz Sharif''s close cronies - Saif-ur-Rehman - who is residing in Doha since long; and alleged that the PML-N government finalized the deal on a fast track basis through assigning this special task to Pakistan''s ambassador-designate to Qatar.

When asked about the specifics of the case he would file against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Sheikh Rashid said he would reveal all in the reference he intends to file in National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

When asked to comment on the allegations leveled by Sheikh Rashid, a senior official of the Petroleum Ministry said that PM Abbasi has repeatedly stated that he is ready to face any inquiry on the matter. He further stated that due to such politically-motivated statements Pakistan has been disabled from importing LNG for the past two decades - a much-needed source of energy.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017