In a significant development, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Haider Zaidi announced that the gas prices in Pakistan will not be increased for the next six months. This decision was made in line with the Prime Minister’s directive to ensure that the gas prices remain stable for the consumers. During his briefing to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Petroleum, Ali Haider Zaidi stated that the circular date increase in the gas sector has been halted, and no new debt is being created.
According to the Minister, the reforms implemented in the sector will ensure that the gas prices remain stable for all consumers, and the government is providing maximum relief to the public during the winter season. Zaidi also informed the committee that the home-based consumers are being provided with better gas supply across the country, and no local gas field has been closed.
The Minister also shared that the gas shortages have been significantly reduced, with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited’s (SNGPL) gas shortages decreasing from 9% to 5%, and Sui Southern Gas Company’s (SSGC) gas shortages decreasing from 17% to 10%. He also informed that Pakistan has signed agreements with Qatar to import 24 LNG cargoes, and earlier agreements were signed with ENI of Italy to import 21 LNG cargoes.
Meanwhile, a young man lost his life in a firing incident in Karachi’s Mahmoodabad Kashmir Colony, while a bus accident in Chakwal’s Talagang area claimed the lives of five people and left 27 injured. The Peshawar Police have launched a massive operation against land mafia, loan sharks, and robbers.
In other news, the Sindh High Court has issued a stay order on the ownership of the Katchi Abadi (KAC) building in Karachi. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has declared several power plants and companies as non-compliant with safety standards. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, met with Vice President and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Senator Barrister Ali Zafar said that the current situation does not seem to be conducive for negotiations, and no political activity is allowed by his party. The Awami National Party (ANP) leader and former Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Amir Haider Khan Hoti, said that war and negotiations cannot go hand in hand, and a review of attitudes is necessary.
The Election Tribunal in Peshawar dismissed the election petition of PTI candidate, Timur Salim Jhagra. In a separate incident, a rickshaw driver set his vehicle on fire on the Airport Road in Quetta, alleging that a traffic police official was demanding bribe from him. PTI Chairman, Barrister Salman Akram Raja, clarified his statement regarding the party chairmanship. Sindh Education Minister, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, met with a delegation from the Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the outsourcing of Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad airports. The upcoming elections are expected to be closely contested, with a strong competition expected for the professor’s seat. PTI Chairman, Barrister Gohar Khan, said that if the talks have been reduced to just five major parties, it should not be considered as a dialogue.
According to the US media, Russia has sent submarines and other ships to protect its oil tankers. The Indian media has reported that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has rejected Bangladesh’s request to move the T20 World Cup matches to India. The 100 Index closed at 1,85,162 points on the previous day. A statement by the Saudi-led coalition said that Al-Zibidi is not on a flight to Riyadh.
