ISLAMABAD: Amid slow demand for costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) deal due to lockdown in the country in the wake of fast spreading coronavirus, calls are growing for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government to invoke force majeure in its LNG deal with Qatar, a local newspaper reported.
The quarters concerned hold the view that three LNG-based power plants installed by the previous government of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were expensive and below the merit order. Therefore, import of LNG for these power stations is only increasing the import bill and energy cost.
It has been learnt that an LNG ship from Qatar reached Karachi the other day but power producers did not show interest in purchasing the expensive gas as most of these plants remain closed.
The report further added that the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) also did not want the expensive gas and has refused to get supplies.
