Private firm to court investors at Gastech 2026

Universal Gas Distribution Company (Private) Limited, known as UGDC, plans to court overseas investors at the Gastech 2026 conference, according to The Express Tribune. The event will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, where overseas energy firms are likely to take part. Pakistan's gas sector is now open to private players, which UGDC wants to highlight.

UGDC describes itself as the first private firm in Pakistan already involved in gas sales, marketing and distribution, and it will represent the country at the event. Its agenda covers upstream and midstream work, including exploration, processing, LNG facilities, pipelines, storage and trading. It also plans to explore strategic partnerships, LNG supply deals and technology tie-ups.

The government, through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), raised the private share of gas allocation from 10% to 35%, ending the dominance of state-run utilities. Circular debt in the sector has swelled to Rs3.8 trillion, covering both principal amounts and delayed payment surcharges, and this has halted new exploration work. Oil and gas exploration firms have welcomed the move, which aims to secure better gas prices and lower circular debt. Ghyas Paracha, CEO of UGDC, said the firm will approach foreign companies, pointing to a more favourable setting the government has fostered.