Serious allegations have emerged regarding controversial 2014 gas agreements, including claims of excessive returns, dollar payments to local firms, and massive daily capacity charges that are burdening Pakistan’s economy.
By Imran Malik | April 19, 2026 | From the Wall of Rauf Klasra
ISLAMABAD: Fresh controversy has erupted over alleged “flawed agreements” signed in 2014 during the tenure of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, with journalists and analysts questioning the long-term financial impact on Pakistan’s energy sector.
Senior journalist Rauf Klasra has publicly laid out detailed claims, challenging what he described as a “half-truth” presented by current Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik regarding the agreements.
The decisions in question were taken under the then petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, with approvals reportedly granted by the cabinet and the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) led at the time by Ishaq Dar.
Allegations of unusually high returns
According to the claims, certain private companies were granted returns of up to 46 percent — significantly above the typical 16–18 percent range in the petroleum sector.
The agreements reportedly involved payments in US dollars to local companies, raising concerns about foreign-exchange pressure. One deal allegedly linked payments of around $130 million to obligations reportedly reaching close to $1.5 billion over time.
Daily capacity payments under scrutiny
At the center of the controversy are capacity charges, with claims that one Karachi-based company has been receiving approximately $275,000 per day since 2014, regardless of whether the terminal is utilized.
A second agreement involving a Lahore-based company allegedly added another $224,000 per day, bringing the combined daily outflow to nearly $500,000.
Critics argue that such arrangements, if accurate, have imposed a long-term burden on Pakistan’s already strained economy, particularly since payments continue regardless of operational use.
Calls for transparency
The spotlight is now on the current Petroleum Minister, Ali Pervaiz Malik, amid growing calls for a comprehensive review of the original summaries, ECC approvals, and cabinet meeting records.
Analysts say a detailed examination of official documents could clarify the decision-making process and identify those responsible for the agreements.
Political and economic implications
The allegations have reignited debate over governance, accountability, and policy decisions in Pakistan’s energy sector.
While no official inquiry findings have been released so far, the issue is gaining traction amid rising public concern over energy costs and dollar outflows.
If substantiated, experts warn, the agreements could represent one of the most financially consequential policy decisions in recent years — with implications still being felt more than a decade later.
1 Comment
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