Islamabad: Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Managing Director Aamir Tufail has announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has lifted the ban on domestic gas connections, paving the way for the provision of gas to thousands of new consumers across the country.
Speaking to the media, Mr Tufail said that SNGPL will issue 300,000 new domestic gas connections this year, while from next year onwards, the company aims to provide 600,000 connections annually. He added that the government has also approved liquefied natural gas (LNG) connections to expand supply options for households.
Highlighting the cost advantage, the SNGPL chief noted that liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are about 30% more expensive than LNG. With the introduction of new home-based LNG connections, he said, consumers will no longer need to rely on gas cylinders for domestic use.
According to SNGPL, around 245,000 demand notices have already been received from applicants. Priority will be given to those who have paid their dues, though applicants can opt for an urgent processing fee to expedite their connections.
Mr Tufail explained that LNG, previously imported mainly for the power sector, would now be made available for domestic consumers since power plants have stopped purchasing LNG.
“While LNG is indeed expensive, it remains affordable when consumed efficiently,” he said, adding that the price has been fixed at Rs3,200 per metric million British thermal units (MMBtu).
To ensure smooth implementation, monitoring units have been set up at SNGPL’s head office and regional branches. Mr Tufail said the decision to lift the ban and approve LNG connections was taken to improve public convenience and meet growing household demand for gas.
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