LAHORE: Minister for Energy, Power and Petroleum Muhammad Ali has said the government had not abandoned its plan to import Russian oil.
Talking to media persons, he said under an agreement with Moscow, one cargo of crude oil had been imported. However, the purchase and import was temporarily suspended due to some issues related to refining the crude oil.
He said work was underway to resolve the refinery issues and restart importing Russian oil to provide relief to the people.
About concerns among the public that gas tariffs were also being raised after inflated electricity bills, the minister said the government will try to manage gas load-shedding during the upcoming winter.
He said the government could not provide gas on cheaper rates after procuring it at higher rates. He said the production of natural gas had decreased by 20pc as compared to last year.
Work is underway to resolve the refinery issues and restart importing Russian oil to provide relief to the people.
The minister also said work on the stalled Iran-Pakistan pipeline project had been started and upon its completion the energy issue in the country would be resolved.
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