Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced the reopening of new domestic gas connections across the country, ending a four-year ban on household supplies through the introduction of Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) connections.
Speaking at a launch ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister said the initiative fulfils a long-standing public demand and reflects the government’s commitment to easing citizens’ daily challenges.
The ban on new domestic gas connections had been imposed in 2021 due to the depletion of natural gas reserves, forcing many households to rely on more expensive alternatives such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking and heating.
“During the PDM government’s tenure in 2022, there was significant public pressure to restore gas connections,” the prime minister said. “At that time, supply constraints made it difficult, but now that funds have been released and infrastructure has been developed, RLNG will be supplied nationwide to a large number of applicants.”
The prime minister congratulated coalition partners, including the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), for their cooperation in restoring the connections. He also expressed hope that the initiative would bring relief to households and contribute to the country’s progress and prosperity.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, senior officials from Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), and parliamentarians attended the ceremony.
In a video message played during the event, Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik said SNGPL had reduced its line losses to 4.93% and posted a profit of PKR 29 billion in the previous fiscal year.
He added that the company’s improved financial and operational performance had made it possible to resume new domestic gas connections on a sustainable basis.
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