After 13 years, Pakistanis may soon be able to obtain new gas connections, but at a steep cost. The government is moving to lift the long-standing ban, though consumers will face nearly four times higher connection charges and bills based on imported LNG rates, around Rs3,900 per mmBtu.
According to officials, the Petroleum Division has submitted a summary to the federal cabinet, proposing 120,000 new connections in the first phase. Applicants will be charged between Rs40,000 and Rs50,000 per connection, while gas prices will be nearly equivalent to expensive LPG.
Currently, over 3.5 million applications are pending, but only those who had earlier paid demand notices or urgent fees will be prioritized. Such applicants must also sign affidavits agreeing not to pursue legal action.
Despite severe energy shortages, where Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) is rationing supply to just 6–9 hours daily, the government plans to roll out new connections amid mounting circular debt and losses.
Out of the total pending applications, 3 million are with SNGPL, while Sui Southern Gas Company has around 250,000, leaving millions still waiting under the ongoing moratorium on indigenous gas supply.
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