Responding to a calling attention notice, he said that local Urea industry is not meeting the required demand of Urea owing to shortage of gas, therefore the government has imported 0.35 million tons Urea.
He said a Urea bag is being sold at Rs. 1600 in the market after the imposition of sales tax, adding that earlier, the price of a Urea bag was Rs. 850.
He said the government is bearing Rs. 43 billion deficit for selling Urea bag at Rs. 1600 subsidized rate. The government costs Rs. 3000 on import of per Urea bag, he told.
Shah said the government is in contact with the local Urea industry and the rate of Urea bag would come down once the gas supply is stabilized.
He said the government is endeavouring to ensure gas supply from Iran, besides taking measures to make the close gas plant functional.