Gas Theft and Leakage Causing Rs60 Billion Annual Loss to National Exchequer Revealed in NA Standing Committee
The National Assembly Standing Committee meeting revealed that gas theft and leakages in Sui Gas companies are causing an annual loss of Rs60 billion to the national treasury.
The NA Standing Committee meeting, chaired by Syed Mustafa Mahmood at Parliament House, saw committee member Gul Asghar Khan demand the privatization of both gas companies (SSGC and SNGPL), stating that running businesses is not the government’s job.
Gul Asghar Khan said the Rs60 billion annual losses of both gas companies are no small matter, and this burden is borne by the public.
Sui Northern MD Amir Tufail stated that Sui Northern’s gas losses due to leakage and theft are 5.27 percent, below OGRA targets, with current gas losses estimated at Rs30 billion annually.
According to Sui Southern MD Amin Rajput, their company’s annual losses are also Rs30 billion, reduced from 17 percent to 10 percent.
Committee member Syed Naveed Qamar expressed concern over the growing circular debt in the gas sector, warning that the gas companies will be ruined at this rate. DG Gas informed that the gas sector’s total circular debt is Rs3,283 billion, including Rs1,452 billion in late payment surcharges.
DG Gas further said lithium reserves have been identified in various areas of the country, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Kotli.
Additionally, a proposal for over Rs4 billion in development budget for Petroleum Division institutions for the next fiscal year was presented in the meeting.
