'Pakistan heading towards oxygen shortage if immediate action not taken,' warn producers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani producers of oxygen gas have warned the authorities of an extreme shortage looming in the country amid the third wave of COVID-19, which continues to wreak havoc.

In a joint statement, they stated that they are currently producing oxygen at their maximum capacity and if coronavirus cases continue to rise, the situation could turn similar to that in India, where a shortage of the vital gas has triggered a serious public health crisis.

"We are currently producing the gas at our maximum capacity and the continued supply of oxygen to industries can [soon] affect the health sector," they warned.

They noted that most of the oxygen's domestic production remains allocated to the health sector and that if all plants produce oxygen at full capacity, they can meet the needs of the health sector.

They also demanded uninterrupted electricity supply for their plants.

Earlier, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar had shared that the country is already utilising 90% of its total gas production and the country may face a shortage if the situation is not controlled.

Briefing the nation about the decisions taken by the National Coordination Committee, which met on Friday with Prime Minister Imran Khan in the chair, the federal minister had said that the government is aware of the critical situation and is taking steps to ensure supply.

“We are working to enhance capacity and will import the gas if needed,” he said.