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.
27 Comments
Hi! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!
I think this internet site has got very fantastic written articles articles.
There are definitely a whole lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That may be a great point to convey up. I offer the ideas above as general inspiration however clearly there are questions like the one you bring up the place crucial thing will be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have emerged round things like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly recognized as a fair game. Each girls and boys feel the impression of just a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, great blog!
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!
Its good as your other blog posts : D, thankyou for posting. “A lost battle is a battle one thinks one has lost.” by Ferdinand Foch.
I always was interested in this topic and still am, thankyou for posting.
I have been examinating out some of your articles and it’s clever stuff. I will make sure to bookmark your site.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
I’d always want to be update on new blog posts on this site, bookmarked! .
Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
I am no longer certain where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend a while studying more or working out more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be on the lookout for this info for my mission.
This actually answered my drawback, thanks!
It’s in reality a nice and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
Rattling clean site, appreciate it for this post.
I was just searching for this information for a while. After six hours of continuous Googleing, finally I got it in your web site. I wonder what is the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative web sites in top of the list. Generally the top web sites are full of garbage.
I’ve been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.
Great website! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am taking your feeds also
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
There are definitely a variety of particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a nice point to bring up. I supply the thoughts above as common inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up the place the most important thing will be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged around things like that, but I’m sure that your job is clearly recognized as a good game. Both boys and girls feel the impact of just a second’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.
I’m still learning from you, as I’m trying to achieve my goals. I absolutely enjoy reading all that is written on your blog.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
Hi there! Quick question that’s entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My blog looks weird when viewing from my iphone4. I’m trying to find a template or plugin that might be able to fix this issue. If you have any recommendations, please share. Thank you!
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
I got what you mean , regards for posting.Woh I am thankful to find this website through google.