People living in villages close to Pakistan’s gas-producing fields may soon get a major relief. The federal government is working on a plan to provide natural gas to villages located within five kilometres of gas-producing fields.
The issue has been pending for many years. In many parts of Pakistan, people live close to areas where natural gas is produced, but their own homes do not have access to the same gas. The government is now moving towards a clearer policy to address this problem and give priority to villages that meet the required conditions.
The latest development is especially important for 42 villages located near the Badar Gas Field in Ghotki, Sindh. A parliamentary committee has agreed that these villages should be given top priority for gas supply.
According to the details presented before the Senate committee, the estimated cost of the Badar Gas Field project is around Rs. 617 million. The government has also agreed to release an initial Rs. 200 million so that work can begin.
Government Working on a New Gas Supply Policy
The government has been told to prepare clear rules for supplying gas to villages located within a five-kilometre radius of gas-producing fields.
The Petroleum Division and Finance Division are working on these guidelines. The policy will explain how villages near gas fields can be connected to the gas network and how funds will be arranged for such projects.
The issue was discussed by a Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum. The meeting was held to review progress on earlier government directions regarding gas supply to villages near producing fields.
The committee also looked at the implementation of a Prime Minister’s directive issued in September 2003, along with directions from the Supreme Court of Pakistan concerning gas supply to nearby villages.
This shows that the issue is not new. It has been discussed for many years, but implementation has remained slow in several areas.
The latest government move could bring fresh hope to communities that have been waiting for gas connections despite living very close to gas fields.
42 Villages Near Badar Gas Field Given Priority
One of the biggest parts of the new plan is the gasification of 42 villages near the Badar Gas Field in District Ghotki.
The parliamentary committee unanimously agreed that these villages should be treated as a priority.
Gasification means providing the required pipeline network and other facilities so that a village can receive natural gas for domestic use. For people living in these communities, the project could make everyday life easier.
Many families in rural areas depend on firewood, LPG cylinders and other fuels for cooking. These options can be costly or difficult to arrange, especially for families with limited incomes.
If the planned gas network reaches these villages, residents will have access to a more convenient fuel source for cooking and other household needs.
The Badar Gas Field project is expected to cost about Rs. 617 million in total. The government has decided to provide Rs. 200 million as an initial amount from available funds.
Rs. 200 Million to Start the Project
The government has assured the committee that Rs. 200 million will be released to start work on the Badar Gas Field gasification project.
This initial amount is important because the project cannot move forward without funding. Once the money is released, the relevant gas company can begin technical and other preparation work.
The Managing Director of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) told the committee that the company would also provide its share of the required funds.
SSGC will start the technical, engineering and purchasing work needed for the project. According to the information shared with the committee, project mobilisation is expected to begin within ten days after the initial funds are released.
This means the government is not only discussing the project but is also preparing to move towards practical work.
Remaining Funds Will Also Be Arranged
The total cost of the Badar Gas Field project is much higher than the first Rs. 200 million allocation. For this reason, the government has also promised to arrange the remaining funds.
The Petroleum Division and Finance Division assured the committee that the money required to complete the project would be arranged without unnecessary interruption.
This is important because large public projects can face delays when funding is released in small amounts or when there is uncertainty about future payments.
The government wants the work to continue until the entire scheme is completed. If funds are provided on time, the gas network can be developed without long breaks.
For residents of the affected villages, timely completion will be more important than announcements. People who have waited for years will want to see actual pipelines, connections and gas reaching their homes.
Why Villages Near Gas Fields Matter
The plan is based on a simple idea: communities located close to gas-producing areas should receive greater attention when gas supply projects are planned.
Pakistan has several areas where oil and gas are produced. However, being close to a gas field does not always mean that nearby villages have access to a household gas connection.
This situation has been a source of concern for local communities. People often see gas-related activities taking place around them while continuing to use other fuels in their homes.
The latest policy work aims to create a clearer system for these villages.
Under the proposed approach, villages within five kilometres of gas-producing fields would be considered under the government’s gasification programme.
This could help reduce confusion and provide a more organised way to decide which villages should receive connections first.
A Long-Running Issue
The government’s current move is linked to an old Prime Minister’s directive from 2003 and directions issued by the Supreme Court.
The fact that the matter is still being discussed more than two decades later shows how difficult it has been to fully implement the earlier decisions.
Over the years, local communities have continued to raise concerns about gas supply. Some villages close to producing fields have remained without proper household gas facilities.
The new policy could therefore provide a fresh framework for dealing with these cases.
Instead of handling each village separately without a clear system, the government is now working on guidelines that can apply to eligible villages across the country.
Role of the Petroleum Division
The Petroleum Division is playing a central role in preparing the new policy.
Officials have informed the parliamentary committee that the policy guidelines are being finalised after consultation with relevant departments and organisations.
The final policy is expected to be presented to the committee at its next meeting.
This consultation process is important because gas supply projects involve several departments and organisations. Funding, pipeline construction, technical planning, gas availability and regulatory matters all need to be considered.
A clear policy can help these organisations work together more effectively.
It can also give local communities a better idea of whether their villages qualify for gas supply and what steps are needed before connections can be provided.
SSGC to Start Technical Work
SSGC will have an important role in the Badar Gas Field project because the villages are located in its operational area.
The company has assured the committee that it will contribute its share of the funding and begin the necessary technical work.
This includes engineering planning, procurement and other preparations required before construction.
The company will need to study the areas, plan the pipeline routes and arrange the material needed for the project.
Once these preparations are completed, physical work can move forward.
The government has linked the start of mobilisation to the release of the initial Rs. 200 million. This gives the project a clear starting point once the funds become available.
What This Could Mean for Local Families
For families living in the selected villages, access to natural gas could make a noticeable difference in daily life.
Cooking with gas can be easier than depending on firewood or carrying LPG cylinders. Families may also benefit from having a regular fuel supply available through a pipeline network.
For women, who often handle cooking and household work, reliable gas can save time and reduce the need to arrange fuel regularly.
There could also be wider benefits for village life. Better basic services can improve living conditions and make rural communities more connected to the formal utility system.
However, the real benefit will depend on how quickly the project is completed and how many households are eventually connected.
A Step Towards Better Treatment of Gas-Producing Areas
The proposed policy could also improve the relationship between gas-producing areas and the wider energy system.
Local communities often want to see direct benefits from the natural resources found in their areas. Providing gas connections to eligible nearby villages could be one way of addressing some of these concerns.
It could also strengthen public confidence in government promises related to local development.
For this to happen, however, the process needs to remain transparent. Villages that meet the required conditions should be properly assessed, and projects should be completed according to clear timelines.
Challenges Still Remain
Although the latest announcement is positive, several challenges remain.
The first challenge is funding. The Badar project is estimated to cost Rs. 617 million, while the initial allocation is Rs. 200 million. The remaining amount will have to be arranged so that the work can continue without delays.
The second challenge is implementation. Preparing a policy is only the first step. The government and gas companies will then need to carry out surveys, complete engineering work, purchase materials, lay pipelines and connect households.
The third challenge is ensuring that the policy is applied fairly. If villages in other gas-producing areas also meet the five-kilometre condition, they may expect similar treatment.
This is why the final policy guidelines will be important. They should clearly explain the eligibility conditions, priority areas, funding arrangements and implementation process.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus is on releasing the initial Rs. 200 million for the Badar Gas Field project.
After the funds are released, SSGC is expected to begin technical, engineering and procurement activities. The committee was told that mobilisation would start within ten days of the release of the initial funds.
At the same time, the Petroleum Division will continue working on the wider policy for villages located within five kilometres of gas-producing fields.
The completed policy will later be presented before the parliamentary committee after consultation with the relevant stakeholders.
If the policy is approved and properly implemented, it could open the way for more villages near gas fields to receive natural gas in the future.
Hope for Villages That Have Waited for Years
The government’s latest plan has created hope for communities that have long been waiting for gas connections.
The Badar Gas Field project is currently the most immediate example, with 42 villages in Ghotki being given priority and an estimated project cost of Rs. 617 million.
The release of Rs. 200 million as initial funding, along with SSGC’s commitment to contribute and start technical work, suggests that the project is moving beyond the discussion stage.
At the same time, the government is preparing broader rules for other villages located near gas-producing fields.
For Pakistan’s rural communities, the importance of this development goes beyond simply having gas in the kitchen. It is also about receiving basic facilities in areas that contribute to the country’s energy supply.
If the government manages to provide the promised funds on time and ensures that the work is completed properly, the plan could bring meaningful relief to thousands of people.
The biggest test now will be implementation. Communities that have waited since earlier government promises will be looking for actual progress on the ground.
For the 42 villages near Badar Gas Field, the next few steps could therefore be very important. If the project begins as planned, it may become an example for other gas-producing areas where nearby villages are still waiting for access to natural gas.
Overall, the new government initiative represents a potentially important step towards addressing the long-standing gap between gas production and local access. The success of the plan will depend on timely funding, proper planning and quick implementation. If these elements remain on track, more villages living near Pakistan’s gas fields may finally get the facility they have been waiting for.
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