Senate panel blames govt for gas crisis

The government came under criticism during a meeting of a Senate panel on Thursday over the gas crisis, with speakers identifying poor coordination and mismanagement for oversupply in the network, on one hand, and shortage of supplies to consumers on the other. The panel decided to reconvene the session with the petroleum minister in attendance. The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum, presided over by Senator Umar Farooq, also expressed displeasure over the delay in filling a vacant slot of director general for petroleum concession (DGPC). The DGPC deals with exploration and development of oil and gas in the country. The meeting had been called to discuss the gas shortfall and exploration activities to meet the country’s rising demand for gas.