KARACHI: The Fertilizer Manufacturers of Pakistan Advisory Council (FMPAC), a representative body of Fertilizer companies, has appreciated the government's intention to 'ensure dedicated gas supply for fertilizer plants on SNGPL network by allowing them to buy the gas directly from oil producing companies'.

A statement issued here on Saturday said that Shahab Khawaja, Executive Director Fertilizer manufacturers of Pakistan Advisory Council (FMPAC) appealed to the higher authorities to immediately restore gas supply to SNGPL based fertilizer plants.

The statement said that showing its full support for infrastructure development Cess tax, he said that FMPAC also support GOP's decision of imposing Cess on gas usage for all sector of economy, especially, fertilizer plants as a necessary tool to develop long term solution to the energy crisis in the country.

He said that the fertilizer industry has been paying cess and shall continue to do so in the larger interest of economy.

Shahab Khawaja, while appreciating Dr. Asim Hussain and Dr. Hafeez Sheikh for their understanding and support for the fertilizer sector, and opined that there are ways to solve the crisis especially for the fertilizer sector as there are several low BTU gas fields which are not in use.

These can be dedicated for the fertilizer plants which would not only reduce the burden of SNGPL network but would also save billions of rupees of subsidy government has to offer on imported urea.