Preparations Near Final Stage to Provide Millions of Gas Connections
Over 3 million gas connection applications pending for the past 4 years
Islamabad: Preparations to provide gas connections to millions of consumers are in the final stages as gas companies and other agencies have submitted their proposals to the government. According to data obtained by *Express News*, approximately 3 million applications for new gas connections have been pending for the last four years with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines.
A ban on new gas connections was imposed in 2021 due to a severe gas crisis, leading to gas load-shedding. As a result, nearly 3 million consumers have been deprived of natural gas and have been forced to use expensive LPG.
Sources from OGRA (Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority) have confirmed that the government has decided to lift the ban on new connections soon. The government has already received proposals from Sui Northern Gas Company and other agencies. Based on these proposals, it has been decided that new gas connections will be provided to consumers, which will be based on RLNG (Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas).
To date, consumers have paid an urgent fee of 25,000 PKR and a normal fee of 6,500-7,000 PKR for new connections. In total, over 20 billion PKR has been collected by Sui Northern in connection fees.
The proposals submitted to the government by Sui Northern also suggest that priority will be given to consumers who submitted applications first. Those who applied later will be provided connections in subsequent phases.
Additionally, it has been proposed that any difference in the connection fee be collected either with the first gas bill or through a new demand notice issued to consumers.
The government plans to lift the ban on new connections by the end of this month.
Meanwhile, sources within Sui Northern Gas Company have confirmed that there is an adequate supply of gas, and the pressure has risen so much that there were concerns about potential damage to the gas pipelines. OGRA and the government have been informed about this situation. Currently, the government has a sufficient quantity of RLNG and gas in the system.
