Ogra's proposal of 74pc raise in gas tariff strongly opposed by small traders.

HYDERABAD -- The HyderaAbad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) has strongly opposed a 74pc raise in gas tariff for consumers proposed by the Oil and Gas Regulatory AutAhority (Ogra), and urged the priAme minister to reject the summary.

President of the chamber Mohammad Farooq Shaikhani, in a statement issued here on Monday, noted that gas rate was proposed to be increased from $0.5 to $4 per MMBTU which would give effect to further increase in prices of many commodities used by domestic consumers, who were already paying heavily for wheat flour due to its persisting shortage.

He described the federal government's policies as non-serious, pointing out that the gas company's circular debt had already risen to Rs1,600bn and government wanted to pass this burden on to domestic and commercial gas consumers which was great injustice.

He said Ogra had sought applicability of this 74pc increase from July 2022 'which was ridiculous' in any society.

He said 25pc of Pakistan's overall imports pertained to energy sector, adding that coal reserves of Tharparkar could...