ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government on Tuesday announced to lift the four-year ban on new domestic gas connections.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik said that government will provide re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) based gas connections instead of local gas.
The minister said the ban, imposed in 2021, had forced residents of new housing societies and apartments to rely on LPG cylinders and other fuels.
“Definitely, there’s the pain of getting your cylinders filled from the market, and then there’s the issue of sub-standard cylinders, which often lead to untoward incidents, and sometimes pipes also leak,” he explained.
Malik stated that both Sui Northern and Sui Southern Gas companies have been asked to seek applications for new gas connections from the consumers.
He noted that the two gas supply companies had already completed the prerequisites and would start entertaining pending applications once the cabinet’s decision was notified.
The minister further said that RLNG is 30 to 35 per cent cheaper than the imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), providing significant relief to consumers
He added that applicants already on the waiting list will have the option to convert to RLNG by paying the required fee and installing a new connection, the Petroleum Minister said.
Ali Pervez Malik assured that efforts are underway to enhance local gas production to reduce dependence on RLNG in future and to ensure more affordable energy for the public.
Moreover, the minister announced that the government has decided to enforce climate and agriculture emergencies across the country to address growing climatic challenges and support farmers affected by the severe flooding that has impacted the agricultural sector.
