ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Thursday lifted the ban on new gas connections and approved the imposition of agricultural and environmental emergencies across the country in response to widespread flood damage and the looming threat of climate change.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Federal Energy Minister Ali Pervez Malik and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the government had decided to resume issuing new gas connections to ease citizens’ hardships.

Malik said that new Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) connections would now be offered, noting that while RLNG remained costly, it would still be 30–35 per cent cheaper than imported LPG. “LPG is the most expensive fuel and people face difficulties in refilling cylinders,” he said.

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He added that the cabinet had also reviewed the prime minister’s recent visit to China and pledged that the government would fulfil all responsibilities in addressing flood-related damages.

Tariq Fazal said the cabinet had endorsed the prime minister’s decision to declare a nationwide environmental emergency, stressing that Pakistan was already facing severe impacts of global climate change. He said the climate change minister would submit a detailed report within 15 days, after which the cabinet would finalize mitigation measures.

The cabinet also approved an agricultural emergency to assess flood-inflicted losses and consider measures to compensate farmers.

“Implementation of these decisions will not be possible without consultation and cooperation with provincial governments,” Tariq Fazal added, noting that the prime minister had called for an immediate meeting with all chief ministers.