Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that Pakistan would “have no gas” in a few years as every year the natural resource was depleting by nine per cent.

“This trend has been witnessed over the last years...as a result in a few years we won’t have gas,” he said while briefing reporters on the decisions taken in the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad.

The minister stressed the need for restructuring the country’s gas system. “We should understand that 28% people are bearing the burden of 78% people in cities where the gas facility is available at subsidized rates.”

He said 78% are those who don’t have a natural gas facility, he said, adding that they rely on LPG/coal/wood or any other fuel to fulfill their needs. “This trend will not last long. The people in the big cities who are fond of subsidised gas will have to change their habit.”

Gwadar protest

The minister said that Planning Minister Asad Umar and Defence Production Minister Zubaida Jalal would visit Gwadar on behalf of Prime Minister Imran Khan and talk to the protesters, who have been on the streets since November 16.

He added the two federal ministers would present a comprehensive report to the premier on the issues. PM Imran on Sunday took notice of the Gwadar protest and vowed to take strict action.

Fawad claimed the number of funds invested for the clean drinking water projects in Gwadar was far more than invested in Islamabad. He called for reviewing the prevailing situation if the issues were resolved despite the announcement of Rs700 billion worth of package for Southern Balochistan.

EVMs use

The information minister was of the view that the Election Commission of Pakistan should issue a tender for the Electronic Voting Machines based on its regulations after its letter to the science and technology ministry

The discussion on the use of EVMs was first raised by the PPP government in 2012 than by the PML-N government in 2017, he said, adding that the last government had directed the ECP to make a comprehensive report on it and conduct a practical demonstration of it. “The PTI is only continuing this process and all political parties should play their positive role in this effort.”

New currency notes

In his presser, the minister said the State Bank of Pakistan had sought a six-year extension for the replacement of currency notes of Rs10, 50, 100 and 1000. However, he said the cabinet had granted only a 12-month extension. “Those who want to get currency notes changed should get it done in a year,” Fawad added.