Why did PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi quit
ISLAMABAD: The former prime minister and PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi quit the Dar-led Economic Coordination Committee.
Abbasi resigned from the ECC due to disagreement over the LNG deal with Azerbaijan through an intergovernmental approach.
Abbasi strongly opposed the proposal of buying LNG from Azerbaijan through the state-owned Pakistan LNG Ltd.
He advocated for a private Pakistani company to handle the purchase of LNG cargo.
The PML-N leader was of the opinion that a private company should be responsible for procurement.
However, the Petroleum Division ignored Abbasi’s suggestion and this was enough for Khaqan Abbasi to quit the Dar-led ECC.
Abbasi’s resignation surfaces after Prime Minister Shehbaz’s recent visit to Azerbaijan. During his visit, PM Shehbaz discussed cooperation in various sectors, including the supply of LNG with Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and PM Shehbaz agreed that Azerbaijan would support Pakistan in meeting its energy. Azerbaijan showed a willingness to supply the oil and gas sector.
According to the agreement, Azerbaijan would provide LNG to Pakistan at a discounted price on a monthly basis. Earlier, the federal cabinet approved the agreement.
This is the second major deal for Pakistan for the fulfillment of energy needs after receiving Russian crude oil.
Under the agreement, Pakistan will receive one LNG cargo on concessional rates per month from next month. According to the PM Office, the premier has been working on the deal with Azerbaijan for the last six months.
Pakistanis are facing a gas crisis in two days _ the prices of gas are very high and the shortage of gas is also a common problem at this time.
In urban and rural areas, the gas companies supplying natural gas have introduced a rationing system wherein consumers are getting gas thrice a day _ for breakfast, lunch, and dinner times. The gas crisis has forced millions of people to buy LPG cylinders to meet their needs which are very expensive.
