Islamabad:

The National Assembly’s Standing Committee for Petroleum was informed on Thursday that there was a shortage of gas supply in the country, therefore no new gas meters installation could be granted.

Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik told the committee that it would be outside any logic that meters were installed when there was no gas available.

The committee met here with Syed Mustafa Mehmood in the chairman. The meeting considered questions about important energy sector. The energy secretary informed the participants of a tumbled strategy to manage tender deficit.

The committee discussed Gasan purchase agreements with Qatar and Azerbaijan along with challenges that local gas distribution companies face and the government’s political framework for participation in the private sector in natural gas exploration.

The energy secretary outlined that the strategy included engaging stakeholders for discoveries and ensuring cautious network operations.