Govt urged to review gas management for fertilizer sector

ISLAMABAD - While demanding 30 days gas loadshedding instead of 45 days, the Fertilizer Price Review Committee (FPRC) has recommended the Prime Minister that decision of gas diversion to fertilizer companies from Mari Gas Station should be implemented immediately. Fertilizer Price Review Committee had demanded of the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to review the gas load management plan for Fertilizer industry, as gas supply should be curtailed to 30 days instead of 45, while the decision of gas diversion to Fertilizer Manufacturing Companies from Mari Gas Station, should be implemented immediately, which is already approved by Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Cabinet, said an official statement issued here on Wednesday. Under the directives of the Chairman of FPRC Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, a summary regarding above mentioned both recommendations has been prepared and sent to Prime Minister for approval. With the approval and implementation on both recommendations, about 2 lac tons of urea would be produced locally within 15 days. Moreover a two-member delegation comprising Federal Secretary Industries & Production and Federal Secretary Food & Agriculture has been tasked to negotiate summarily with the concerned Saudi Authorities for an immediate import of 2 lac 25 thousand tons of urea through SABIC facility. The delegation is going to negotiate with them in a day or two. Delegation of Fertilizer Manufacturers led by CEO ENGRO, Asad Umar attended FPRC meeting and assured that they would reduce recently increased prices of urea (Rs. 190 per 50 kg bag) with the same percentage, the government reduces gas load shedding to their plants. Federal Minister for Industries & Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani chaired Fertilizer Price Review Committee meeting to review prices increased by the Fertilizer Manufacturers of urea and its availability. Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Provincial Ministers for Food and Agriculture and all other stakeholders at Federal and Provincials level and heads of all Fertilizer Manufacturing Companies attended FPRC meeting.

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