January 16, 2007	Tuesday	Zilhaj 25, 1427

LAHORE, Jan 15: With weather improving, the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited, has started restoring supplies to industrial units, bringing its curtailment down to 250 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) from 450mmcfd two weeks ago.

According to officials, two fertiliser units — Pak-Arab and Daud-Hercules — will start getting supplies from next week and Pak-American Fertiliser (Daud Khel) has been put on notice for simultaneous suspension of supplies.

They said that weather forecasts were encouraging and the company might be able to restore more industrial units in the next few days. Out of total 293 units on its system, 150 are still suspended.

But if weather takes another dip, all these plans could be put upside down. The increasing shortage and squeezed supplies have forced the company on a tightrope walk.

The situation may worsen next year if the supply side does not improve substantially.

The annual load growth has touched 12 per cent and would increase demand by almost 200mmcfd by next year, they said.