ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has sanctioned a rise in gas prices for the fiscal year averaging an increase of 7.14%. This move follows statements from OGRA suggesting a possible 8% decrease in gas prices.
As per OGRA the gas price for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) is fixed at 1852.80 Pakistani Rupees per MMBTU, whereas for Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGCL) it is set at 1777.02 Pakistani Rupees, per MMBTU.
Previously, OGRA had proposed a decrease in gas prices. The latest update reveals that rather than a decrease the regulator has sanctioned a price rise, for this fiscal period. This increase is expected to affect both homes and businesses, adding to the escalating cost of living.
The price adjustment follows a series of challenges faced by the gas distribution companies, including increasing international fuel costs and the ongoing financial pressures on Pakistan’s energy sector. OGRA’s decision is expected to provoke a strong reaction from consumers, especially as inflation continues to affect essential goods and services.
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SNGPL issues winter gas load shedding schedule
Earlier, in view of the increasing demand for gas during the winter season in Pakistan, the authorities of SNGPL have issued a gas load shedding schedule for the winter season.
Under this schedule, gas supply will be reduced in different areas to better manage the limited supply. Gas supply will be restricted in urban and rural areas at different times. Gas supply in urban areas will be reduced in the morning and evening hours, while rural areas will face a gas shortage during the day.
The industrial sector will also be affected, and gas supply to small and medium industries in particular will be reduced to give priority to domestic consumers.
Due to the increase in gas demand in winter for domestic consumers, the government has proposed various saving measures. These include replacing gas stoves with electronic heaters and limiting unnecessary gas consumption. The Ministry of Energy has requested the public to cooperate with the government’s measures to save gas and avoid unnecessary gas consumption. This schedule is part of efforts to address the gas shortage problem in Pakistan; however, the public will continue to face difficulties in gas.
Gas supply will also be affected in industrial areas. The government has decided to reduce gas supply to small and medium-scale industries to give priority to domestic consumers. This decision may affect various industrial units, especially food and beverage industries, textiles, and other manufacturing units.
In view of the increase in gas demand by domestic consumers during winter, the government has proposed various measures to save gas. These include encouraging the use of electronic heaters instead of gas stoves so that less gas is used. Besides this, people have been requested to limit unnecessary use of gas and take precautionary measures to reduce the shortage of gas supply.
The Ministry of Energy has requested the public to fully cooperate in the government’s measures to save gas. The ministry has also launched a public awareness campaign in which people are being told about the precautionary and economical ways of using gas. The government says that if the public is careful in using gas, it will not only meet domestic needs but will also have less impact on the industrial sector.
This schedule is part of the efforts to solve the problem of gas shortage in Pakistan, but despite this, difficulties will continue to be faced in gas supply.
