Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: Radio Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the opening of new gas connections for domestic consumers.
He was speaking at a ceremony related to the resumption of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) connections to domestic consumers in Islamabad on Sunday.
He said the government made the decision in response to a long-standing public request.
The Prime Minister recalled that in 2022 there was immense public pressure for gas connection, but the government faced challenges.
He stressed that with this historic decision, the public will now be able to access affordable and quality fuel.
In a video message released during the ceremony, Oil Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said the government was committed to providing maximum facilities to the public.
He said Sui Northern Gas Company made a profit of Rs29 billion in the last financial year.
Read: Government paves way for new RLNG connections
Earlier, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik reviewed a comprehensive deployment plan aimed at providing regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) connections to domestic consumers.
To ensure effective monitoring and speedy execution of this massive public welfare project, the Minister ordered the immediate establishment of a dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) for both SNGPL and SSGCL.
These offices, he said, will be responsible for closely monitoring the entire process from application to connection, ensuring that goals are met and that all public complaints are promptly addressed.
In a major relief to consumers who were waiting for connections, it has also been decided that applicants who have already paid for a demand ticket can now submit the differential amount along with security charges to become eligible for an RLNG connection under this new initiative.
During the meeting, the Managing Directors of SNGPL and SSGCL presented a detailed strategy for the effective implementation of the government directive, a statement said.
They informed the Minister that an ambitious target of providing new national RLNG connections within the first year would be set.
To ensure maximum facilitation and transparency for the public, the connection request process will be significantly streamlined.
Consumers will be able to apply online through Sui Companies’ official websites and mobile applications, in addition to the traditional method of applying at their local offices.
The minister directed the management of the two gas utilities to formulate a robust and user-friendly mechanism to ensure transparent facilitation of the public.
He highlighted that this initiative is the priority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to meet the growing public demand for clean and affordable energy.
“This step is being taken in response to the long-standing public demand for the provision of new domestic gas connections,” the minister said.
