Gas prices may go up by six to nice percent in Pakistan
Pakistan Times Staff Report

KARACHI: Gas prices will be raised again by approximately 6 to 9 per cent from July 01, 2005.

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and the Southern Southern Gas Pipelines Limited (SSGPL) filed separate applications to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).

The SNGPL demanded an increase of Rs 9.43 per MMBTU, while the SSGPL sought an increase of Rs 6.55 per MMBTU.

Both the companies pleaded that increase in gas prices was inevitable to meet their financial needs.

Hearings

Accepting their applications, the OGRA set April-4 for the hearing of SSGPL’s plea in Quetta and April-11 for hearing in Karachi, and invited all the stakeholders to the hearings.

April-28 has been fixed for the hearing on SNGPL’s application in Peshawar and April-25 for hearing in Lahore.

The track record of the OGRA shows that it has approved all the applications filed so far by the two companies for a raise in gas prices, and their recent applications are more than likely to get its approval.●