In a significant relief measure for the public, the federal government has decided against raising gas prices for the upcoming six months. This major announcement was delivered by Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik during a high-level meeting held in Islamabad.
Relief on Prime Minister's Directives
Minister Malik stated that the decision to provide this relief to consumers comes on the special instructions of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He emphasized that due to successful reforms within the sector, gas tariffs will remain unchanged for all categories of consumers across the country. This move is expected to ease the financial burden on households and industries alike.
Key Reforms and Sector Improvements
The meeting highlighted several positive developments stemming from the government's policy interventions. A critical achievement is that the increase in the circular debt plaguing the gas sector has been halted, with no new debt being accumulated. Furthermore, an agreement has been finalized to transfer excess LNG cargo from Qatar to the global market, optimizing resources.
On the operational front, officials confirmed that gas supply to domestic consumers is continuing uninterrupted and no local gas field has been shut down. In a welcome update for citizens, the meeting was informed that daily gas supply hours have been substantially extended, now running from 5 am to 10 pm.
Reduction in System Losses
Substantial progress has also been made in reducing Unaccounted-for-Gas (UFG) losses, a major contributor to inefficiency. The data presented showed impressive results:
- In Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), UFG losses have been reduced from 9 percent to 5 percent.
- In Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), these losses have dropped from 17 percent to 10 percent.
These reductions signify improved management and less wastage in the distribution network, contributing to overall sector stability and helping justify the price freeze.
The government's comprehensive strategy, combining price relief, extended supply, and systemic reforms, aims to provide immediate comfort to the public while strengthening the long-term health of Pakistan's gas sector.
