During the present PTI tenure, the circular debt has been increased by Rs1,600 billion swelling the total debt to Rs2,700 billion whereas the circular debt of both the gas companies has risen by Rs100 billion, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

This was revealed by Petroleum Secretary Syed Tariq Hussain during a meeting of Public Accounts Committee held in Islamabad on Thursday under the chair of Rana Tanveer Hussain. 

The secretary told the accounts committee that in 2018, the circular debt was Rs1,100 billion which now has risen to Rs2,700 billion. 

The circular debt of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) has mounted to Rs1,300 billion, the secretary further informed the National Assembly’s panel.

PAC Chairman Tanveer Hussain said that salary of the SNGPL Managing Director is extremely hefty but his performance is zero. Likewise, authorities appointed Shabbar Zaidi who reimbursed money to his cronies and bid adieu. 

The NA committee demanded a list of salary packages of the SNGPL MD and other officers. 

The petroleum secretary said that in order to overcome the shortage of local gas production, the government is importing gas to cater to the rising demand. 

The PAC chairman expressed his indignation over petroleum division for not replying to his three letters. He was of the view that the petroleum division was unable to realize that factory workers and common people would come on roads if there would be shortage of gas. He lamented that though the government is charging high gas price from consumers, but it is not providing gas to them.

 Reporter Usman Khan