Sui Northern’s New Gas Price Hike Request Worries the Public

The cost of living in Pakistan continues to rise, and energy prices are a major part of this struggle. Recently, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has submitted a new request to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) for a sharp increase in gas prices, raising serious concerns among consumers.

Proposed Gas Price Increase

According to official details, SNGPL has requested an increase of Rs. 189 per MMBTU in the average gas price. The company has asked OGRA to approve a new average rate of Rs. 1,955.50 per MMBTU, compared to the current rate of Rs. 1,766.50. This means that both households and industries could soon face higher gas bills if the proposal is accepted.

Reason Behind the Request

The company has stated that it is currently suffering from a revenue shortfall of Rs. 52.95 billion. According to SNGPL, this financial gap makes it difficult to maintain stable gas supplies and system repairs. The organization argues that a price hike is necessary to cover operational costs and avoid further financial stress.

Additional LNG Service Charges

Besides the price increase, SNGPL has also proposed an LNG service charge of Rs. 316.64 per unit. If approved, this additional cost will push consumer bills even higher, especially during the winter months when gas usage typically rises. Many experts believe this could make daily life even tougher for ordinary citizens.

OGRA Hearing Scheduled

OGRA has fixed November 7 as the hearing date for Sui Northern’s petition. During this session, the authority will review the company’s financial data and decide whether to approve or reject the proposed increase. Consumers and analysts are eagerly waiting for the outcome, hoping that their financial burden will not grow further.

Public Reaction and Concerns

The public reaction to this news has been filled with worry and frustration. People are already struggling with high costs of strength, petrol, and essential goods, and some other increase in gasoline prices may also deepen the economic stress on households. Many residents fear that their electricity fuel payments ought to hit record highs this year.

Conclusion

SNGPL’s request may be justified from a business perspective, but for millions of Pakistanis, it represents another financial challenge. The decision by OGRA on November 7 will determine whether this proposal becomes another blow to the public or a moment of relief if rejected.