ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) president Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday criticised the decision of a gas facility to deny natural gas supply to private housing societies. He also criticised the decision of the gas company to put the burden of the connections, billing and recovery on owners of the housing projects which would add to their problems. Mian Zahid Hussain said that the government had repeatedly claimed that imported gas would be provided to the commercial and industrial sector, while the domestic sector would get locally extracted gas. “The move to provide costly LNG to the masses will dent the reputation of the government which had assured masses that import of LNG will not hurt their interests,” he said. The veteran business leader said that government had failed to cater to the increasing demand of housing units while the private sector was trying to bridge the gap, therefore, it should not be discouraged. Property and housing sector was growing at a fast pace supporting dozens of industries and providing jobs to tens of millions, therefore, it should be spared any inconvenience. The decision of the gas company will result in a crisis, he warned. Published in Daily Times, December 16th 2017.