KARACHI: Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said LNG terminal closure to intensify power crisis hitting masses and economy.

“Terminal should be closed for annual maintenance in winter and no one should be allowed to threaten energy security. The closure of LNG terminal can deepen the energy crisis resulting in load shedding for long hours which must be avoided,” said President of the Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) Dr Murtaza Mughal in a statement. He said that two gas fields had been closed in Sindh, dams were not producing enough electricity due to water scarcity and there was a shortage of furnace oil in the country.

Amid this situation, the owners of an LNG terminal had planned to close their business in the garb of annual maintenance which should have scheduled in winter when demand for electricity is low, he added.

He said that closure of one terminal would discontinue supply to LNG-based power plants which would intensify the crisis resulting in closure of industry and fertilizer sector. “The government should import furnace oil on war footing and direct the terminal operators to leave the maintenance of terminals to winter when the electricity demands is relatively low. “Terminal owners avoid annual maintenance to save money, therefore, the government should direct them to follow the proper SOPs,” Mughal concluded.