ISLAMABAD, Jan 13 (APP): Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Monday informed the National Assembly that the issue of gas shortage for domestic consumers was persisting because of gap of 250 million cubic meters in supply and demand of gas. Responding to two calling attention notices of Abdul Qadir Patel, Khawaja Sheraz and others on gas shortage, the minister said presently the demand for gas from domestic and commercial consumers and different sectors of the economy was 7 billion cubic feet. The demand for gas was increasing by 7 percent every year, which was causing problems for consumers at tail end, he added. Omar said the gas consumers were suffering as the previous governments ignored the oil and gas sector. He said the present government allocated 10 blocks for exploration, and was going to undertake bidding for additional 18 blocks. He said the Sindh government was not allowing the right of way for a gas pipeline that could ease difficulties for the consumers. Sindh at present was producing 2243 million cubic meters of gas, he added. The minister said Rs 10 billion would be spent on improving gas distribution network in Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government would give priority … Continue reading Gas shortages persisting due to demand-supply gap: Omar