LAHORE: The government has increased gas tariffs by 67 per cent, effective from Feb 1, following approval from the federal cabinet. The bills received by consumers at large for the month of January have shocked many. Several consumers claim they have been left with no option but to either criticize the rulers or switch to alternative options. They demand that the government review decisions to repeatedly increase gas and electricity prices.

“We never received such a huge gas bill; it is not justified at all. It seems the government wants to crush us financially by hook or by crook,” says Zeeshan, a resident of Chungi Amarsadhu. “In last year’s January, we received a bill of Rs6,811. But for this year’s January, our bill is Rs44,370, including Rs35,429 (cost of gas), Rs2,133 (fixed charges), and Rs6,768 (taxes). Do you think it is justified, as our bill has surged to almost 800%?” he argued, adding that his other relatives also received bills ranging between Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 or above.

Arsalan of Johar Town said that in Jan 2023, he received a Rs6,639 gas bill. However, for Jan 2024, the bill he received amounted to Rs26,000. He called the bill unjustified, considering his usage, and urged the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo moto notice due to the fleecing of the public at large through such inflated gas and electricity bills.

Saleem, residing in a locality near Shalamar, stated that he had decided to switch to LPG, as the repeated gas price increases are not affordable. “In the last couple of months, I have paid much more than last year in the wake of gas and electricity bills, leaving me with no option but to switch to LPG,” he said.

The federal cabinet last week approved a 67 per cent increase in the natural gas tariff with effect from Feb 1, apparently to meet the revenue requirement of the gas utilities targeted for the current year. Following approval, the Petroleum Division issued a notification, according to which for consumers using up to 0.25 hundred cubic metres (hcm), the new tariff is Rs200 per mmbtu, which is an increase of 66 per cent; for up to 0.5hcm consumers the new rate is Rs250/mmbtu, a 67 per cent increase.

After an increase of 33 per cent, the consumers using up to 0.6hcm will have to pay Rs300/mmbtu while the consumer category of up to 0.9hcm witnessed a 29pc increase, with the new rate set at Rs350/mmbtu. For those falling in non-protected category, the new rate for consumption up to 0.25hcm, will be Rs500/MMBTU (67 per cent increase); up to 0.6hcm category witnessed a 42pc hike, which is Rs850/mmbtu; and consumers using gas up to 1hmc will pay Rs1,250/mmbtu after a 25 per cent increase.

Similarly, there is a 21pc increase for the 1.5hcm category and the new rate is Rs1,450/mmbtu whereas the consumer category using up to 2hcm will pay Rs1,900/mmbtu after a 19pc increase. Those using up to 3hcm will pay Rs3,300/MMBTU after a 10pc whereas up to 4hcm usage will cost Rs3,800/mmbtu after an 8.6 per cent increase. Those using above 4hmc will pay Rs4,200/mmbtu after a 4.8 per cent.

However, there is no increase in the gas tariffs for ‘tandoor’, cement factories, cafes, bakeries, milk shops, tea stalls, canteens, barbers, laundries, hotels industry, malls, places of entertainment like cinemas, clubs, theatres, private offices corporate firms, ice factories, general industries.

“The gas price should have been increased gradually instead of doing so in one go. But unfortunately, it was not done allegedly on the part of government led by various political parties in the past,” an official source in the relevant ministry told Dawn.

GAS THEFT: During the ongoing crackdown on gas pilferers, SNGPL teams on Sunday disconnected another 252 connections besides imposing Rs5.8 million fines.

In Lahore, the regional team disconnected 12 connections on illegal use of gas while another three on use of compressor to extract gas. In Rawalpindi, the team disconnected 4 connections on illegal use of gas while another 1 on use of compressor. In Multan four connections were disconnected on illegal use of gas while another 20 on use of compressor. In Sahiwal, two connections were disconnected on use of compressor while another 02 on illegal use of gas. In Sheikhupura, 43 connections were disconnected on illegal use of gas. The regional team of Bahawalpur disconnected 01 connection on illegal use of gas. In Faisalabad the team disconnected 5 connections on illegal use of gas and imposed fine of Rs 0.06 million against gas theft cases.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2024