PM orders winter gas load plan, uninterrupted imports amid regional supply risks

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked authorities to draw up a detailed winter gas load-management plan and put early safeguards in place, so that gas imports continue without interruption despite disruptions in the wider region. Chairing the Islamabad meeting, he told officials to finalise contingency steps and launch a public awareness drive before winter peak demand, the PMO said. Officials told the session that locally produced gas would go first to households, while regasified LNG would be directed mainly to power generation and industrial users.

Authorities are also keeping gas from northern reserves flowing, and households are to be encouraged toward other energy options. The government is additionally weighing a plan that would let banks finance electric appliances used to heat water and rooms. The Petroleum Division and gas companies have asked for at least 22 LNG cargoes for December to February, while the task force believes roughly 10 to 12 cargoes could be secured diplomatically and logistically, though only on a best-effort footing.

Each spot cargo may cost close to $100 million, and the Finance Ministry and the State Bank of Pakistan would need to be involved. Officials estimate that the final number of shipments may come to seven or eight, depending on conditions in the market. Separately, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority lifted LPG rates by 8% for October, adding Rs244.14 to each 11.8kg domestic cylinder.