ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) on Friday lauded the decision of the government to increase import of gas to four billion cubic feet per day, within five years and to end the role of different government departments in the import of gas. Presently, the country is importing around six hundred mmcfd of gas, while the volume would be doubled in few months. “The decision to increase gas import will resolve the energy crisis in the country as well as increase the growth rate. It will also reduce the role of different departments, including state-run gas companies, and will improve efficiency as well as transparency in the LNG sector,” said Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Patron Shahid Rasheed Butt. “The improved supply of gas through private sector will reduce price of the fuel and minimise complaints which is laudable,” he said. He said that the government had allowed the private sector to market LNG and import at a later stage despite opposition by the gas companies which was a good decision. Now the SNGPL and SSGC would be able to sell locally produced gas only.