OGRA approves up to 191% hike in gas prices.

ISLAMABAD -- In order to meet the revenue shortfall of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has approved 17pc to 191pc increase in the gas prices for the period starting from January 2020 till June 2020. This would be the third massive surge in gas prices under the rule of Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) government. According to details, the gas price for domestic gas consumers has been increased by 191pc, while that for the fertilizer sector has been hiked by 135pc hike. Similarly, a 31pc surge has been approved for consumers falling under the category of roti tandoor, commercial, industrial, zero-rated export industry, captive power plants, compressed natural gas (CNG), cement and power plants. Following the OGRA's decision, SNGPL would earn a revenue of around Rs244 billion while SSGCL would earn approximately Rs275 billion during the said period. With effect to this increase, the price of local gas for CNG consumers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Sindh would be more expensive than imported gas.

As per the documents, tariff for the first slab of domestic gas consumers has been increased from Rs121...