Sindh opposes gas sale framework

Sindh has vehemently opposed the approval of a framework for the sale of 35% local gas to private parties — a decision that, if implemented, would put an additional Rs243 billion burden on residential consumers over the next five years due to the use of imported gas as an alternative. The Sindh government did not endorse the summary, which sought the "approval" of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for the gas sale framework to private parties. The Petroleum Division brought the summary — framework for third-party sale of natural gas under an amended petroleum policy — for ECNEC approval without formally placing it on the meeting agenda. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chaired the ECNEC meeting earlier this week. The Council of Common Interest (CCI) — the constitutional body responsible for handling matters related to Pakistan's federation — had in January allowed gas exploration and production companies to sell up to 35% of their production to third parties. However, the decision was contingent on first meeting the overall demand and securing ECNEC's endorsement of the framework.