Islamabad: Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik on Wednesday announced that the federal cabinet has approved the resumption of new gas connections across the country, ending the ban imposed in 2021.
Briefing the media after the cabinet meeting, the minister said the decision was taken in response to strong public demand and would particularly benefit residents of newly developed housing areas who were forced to rely on LPG cylinders and other costly alternatives.
He assured that both Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) had already completed procurement processes for meters and pipelines, enabling them to begin processing pending applications immediately once the official notification is issued.
Malik further noted that existing applicants would be allowed to convert their requests to Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG)-based connections by paying the security fee prescribed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). While RLNG is costlier than domestic natural gas, he said, it would still be 30 to 35 percent cheaper than LPG, thereby reducing household fuel expenses.
The minister highlighted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to easing the energy burden on citizens, adding that the decision would provide much-needed relief amid rising inflation.
He also pointed out that Pakistan currently has a surplus of RLNG and adequate electricity availability, but emphasized the government’s focus on improving governance and sustainability in the energy sector.
On exploration, Malik said one bidding round for domestic gas production had already been completed and another would conclude soon. He added that efforts were underway to attract international companies from Turkiye, China, and the United States for both onshore and offshore projects, to reduce reliance on costly imports and shift gradually towards indigenous resources.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
