ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik announced that the government is considering lifting the ban on domestic gas connections.
In a media statement, the minister said that he would meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shortly to discuss the issue in detail and asserted that this is a nationwide concern that needs to be addressed.
He added that local gas is not available, and new domestic connections may have to rely on imported gas.
Malik added that he had already discussed the matter of lifting of ban on domestic gas connections with the prime minister earlier and will keep the public informed on any progress.
On another front, the minister revealed that the government has taken significant measures to curb diesel smuggling across the country.
He said the digitalisation of all trucks transporting diesel will soon be completed, and the unloading points of these tankers will now be recorded in the official system.
The minister also revealed the federal government has made a major decision to prevent petrol and diesel theft at fuel stations. He announced the launch of a nationwide drive to digitize all petrol pumps, noting that manual filling machines enable fuel theft and the sale of smuggled diesel.