14% gas tariff hike not too much: Khurshid Shah

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurshid Shah on Monday tried to play down the staggering 14 percent gas tariff hike as 'not too much', Geo News reported.

Replying to the call for notice of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on the recent rise in gas tariff in National Assembly, Khurshid Shah defended 14 percent increase in gas price by calling it a step towards striking an equilibrium between petrol and gas.

He invited the opposition members to come forward with their suggestions so that the government and opposition could resolve the issue together.

Shifting the entire blame of gas crisis in the country on 'ineligibility' of gas companies, he said: "Gas is available in the pipelines and we have the ability to provide gas."

He said action would have to be taken against the gas companies.

The Federal Minister said gas shortage was faced every year and there was nothing new about it.

He claimed that people were being brought on roads under a plan 'but no matter how the situation turns out to be, this government will not quit'.

MQM and Pakistan Muslim League-N staged a walk on the current gas crisis in the country and the recent increase in gas tariff.

Before walk out, MQM MNA Asif Husnain said the government had adopted a careless attitude towards the people. "The government is also playing on the wicket of bureaucracy," he regretted.

He said the bureaucracy was engaged in undermining the government.