ISLAMABAD: Ministry of petroleum has stepped up exploration and development efforts to arrange additional gas supplies from the existing and newly-discovered fields to meet the industrial needs.

Concerted efforts are also afoot for increased gas availability through trans-national imports as well as through pipeline and LNG imports, it was officially learnt here on Saturday.

These steps would help in regular supply of natural gas to industries in the country.

Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Naveed Qamar has already hinted at burgeoning gap between supply and demand of gas during winter.

The consumption of gas by both domestic and industrial sectors in most winters increases dramatically, which has prompted the authorities to take necessary measures, including load-shedding.

This winter is no exception, and the issue of gas is simmering to make a comeback in the peak season.

The government is eyeing the country’s own potential, and its efforts to yield desired results the experts believe would minimise the burden.

Meanwhile, representatives of the textile sector met Textile Minister Rana Farooq and called for 300 mmcfd gas to meet the export target of this crucial sector.

The meeting was held in the backdrop of the government’s overtures in which a committee headed by the petroleum minister was formed to resolve the issue of gas load-shedding for the textile sector during the upcoming winter.

The committee has been entrusted the task of determining the priority sectors for gas supply in load-shedding timings.

Responding to the textile bodies representatives’ demand for more gas, the minister acknowledged the pivotal role of the textile industry in country’s economy, and assured them of utmost cooperation from the government.

The two sides held in-depth discussions over yarn prices, PSF and other textile-related issues. —APP