Pakistan’s first private gas distribution company, Universal Gas Distribution Company (UGDC), has invited foreign investors to explore investment and joint-venture opportunities in the country’s gas sector at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.
UGDC is participating in Gastech for the first time, marking what the company described as a significant milestone for Pakistan’s private-sector gas industry. Gastech 2026 is being held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) from September 14 to 17. The official event information lists around 1,000 exhibitors and participation from energy professionals and companies from around the world.
Speaking to the media at Gastech, UGDC Chief Executive Officer Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said the company was seeking foreign investment to establish dedicated gas distribution networks in Pakistan aimed at providing consumers with more reliable and affordable gas supplies.
“We appreciate Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik for opening up the gas sector for private entities,” Paracha said. He added that the government’s policy to allocate 35 percent of gas to private parties was an important step towards deregulation of the gas distribution sector.
Paracha said UGDC’s vision was to transform Pakistan’s energy market by attracting foreign direct investment and establishing direct business-to-business joint ventures that could help reduce gas prices.
“We are one in the country and want to see more companies from the private sector invest in the gas sector,” he said.
According to Paracha, greater private-sector participation in gas distribution could help reduce gas losses and support continuous supply and storage capacity, ultimately benefiting consumers.
He said UGDC had already operationalized three dormant gas fields by processing raw gas into pipeline-quality supply. The company was also working with international partners, including major U.S. firms, to expand purification infrastructure and integrate stranded gas reserves into the national grid, he added.
Paracha said UGDC had also engaged in short- and long-term LNG import arrangements in the past to address seasonal supply shortages and pressure fluctuations. He also advocated the development of commercial underground gas storage facilities.
Highlighting gas losses as a major factor contributing to higher gas prices, Paracha said UGDC planned to develop targeted private pipeline infrastructure for high-volume industrial units and major residential schemes to reduce unaccounted-for-gas losses and bypass inefficient legacy distribution networks.
He said the company was building on previous agreements with international energy companies, including ExxonMobil, QatarEnergy, ConocoPhillips and Trafigura, and continued to invite international companies to co-invest under Pakistan’s deregulated framework.
Paracha further said private-sector participation would be based on private capital without government subsidies, while generating revenue for the government through pipeline transit tariffs and taxes.
He said greater market liberalization could reduce energy costs for consumers, improve industrial competitiveness and create a more market-driven energy sector, while also increasing government tax revenues.
At present, Pakistan’s gas distribution network is largely operated by state-owned Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). UGDC is seeking to establish additional private distribution networks through joint ventures with foreign companies, including U.S. firms.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand, Sadia Qazi, also visited the UGDC stall at Gastech and appreciated the company’s participation in the international exhibition.
UGDC said its presence at Gastech is focused on attracting foreign investment, building international partnerships and showcasing opportunities in Pakistan’s gas and energy sector. The company has identified its participation as a milestone for Pakistan’s private-sector representation at the global energy forum.
