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Pakistan joins Gastech 2026 after 54-year absence

By Business Desk September 15, 2026 Business & Finance
Pakistan joins

BANGKOK: Pakistan has joined the global energy forum Gastech 2026 after a gap of 54 years, with a Pakistani company setting up a stall at the event for the first time in the forum’s history.

According to event organizers, the conference and exhibition is being held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) from Sept. 14 to 17.

United Gas Distribution Company (UGDC) is the first Pakistani company to establish a stall at Gastech during its 54-year history, organizers said.

Official Gastech figures show that about 7,000 delegates, 1,000 exhibitors and representatives from 150 countries are participating in the event. Organizers expect around 50,000 visitors to attend the conference and exhibition.

Speaking to Geo News in Bangkok, UGDC CEO Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said the government’s policy of allocating 35% of gas to the private sector was an important step toward deregulation of the gas sector.

He said the company aims to attract foreign investment, establish direct business partnerships and develop private gas distribution networks to help reduce gas prices in Pakistan.

Gas distribution is currently handled by state-owned companies SNGPL and SSGC, but UGDC wants to establish private networks in partnership with U.S. and other international companies, Paracha said.

He said private-sector networks could reduce gas losses and provide consumers with cheaper gas. Private investment could also generate government revenue through taxes and transit fees while lowering overall energy costs, he added.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Sadia Qazi visited the UGDC stall and described the Pakistani company’s participation in Gastech as an important milestone for the country’s business sector on the international stage.