ISLAMABAD (APP) - The Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources has called upon the government to review the recent increase in the prices of gas especially for domestic consumers as it has negatively impacted the general public. The committee which met here at the parliament house under the chairmanship of Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas termed the decision of increase in gas prices as "unjustified and uncalled." Members of the committee observed that such a decision on part of the government will have negative repercussions on industrial and agricultural sectors and would affect the socio- economic development of the country. The ministry should devise policies to encourage the exploratory activities in the country besides importing the natural gas and liquefied natural gas. A sub-committee was also constituted on the occasion with a view to consider the subsidy being given to the fertilizer sector and to suggest ways and means to end the discrimination. The sub-committee would be headed by Senator Haroon Khan, while its members would be Senators Dr. Muhammad Ismail Buledi and Muhammad Talha Mehmood. The committee, highlighting the significance of Iran- Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project, urged the government to expedite the commissioning of the project for resolving the outstanding issue. While, discussing the financial position of the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) the committee expressed its concern over the rising debts of PSO and the power producers etc. The committee demanded of the government to reduce the oil prices and provide relief to the common man as the international market has registered a considerable decrease. Earlier, senior officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, OGDCL and PSO informed the committee about the overall development work and projects carried out by OGDCL and the financial update of the PSO. Secretary Petroleum Saleem Mehmood Saleem informed that the new petroleum policy would be announced soon. He expressed the hope that the new policy would cover all the areas that have been neglected in the past. He said that the participation of locals would be encouraged with a view to promote the exploratory activities in the far flung areas. During the proceedings, members of the committee eulogized the services of Senator Syed Dilawar Abbas, who would retire on March 11, for his valuable contribution to bring about improvement in the working and efficiency of the ministry and its attached departments. The meeting was attended by Senator Haroon Khan, Senator Dr. Muhammad Ismail Buledi and Secretary Senate Raja Muhammad Amin besides senior government officials.