Gas companies cry foul amid IMF-driven policy shake-up

In a new twist to IMF’s push for transferring industrial captive power plants (CPPs) to the national power grid through a hike in gas rates and supply disconnections, gas companies are crying foul over losing long-term clients to private competitors. As if it was not enough, a state-owned enterprise has sought government clearance to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to supply the CPPs if Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) fail to meet demand. Sources told Dawn that Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) proposed to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) last week that it be allowed to import LNG cargoes and supply them to the industrial sector as SNGPL and SSGCL face a shortage of customers and want cancellation of contracted cargoes.