The Ministry of Petroleum has banned new LNG-based gas connections across the country after Pakistan’s gas crisis intensified due to the Iran-US war.
According to sources, the ban will apply to both domestic and commercial consumers, while applications may be reopened after two weeks if the supply situation improves.
Sources said the decision will affect new domestic as well as commercial consumers. The ministry said applications may be accepted again if the situation improves after two weeks.
Permanent ban possible
Officials said a permanent ban on new gas connections could be considered if the Strait of Hormuz does not reopen.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global energy shipments, and its disruption has added pressure to Pakistan’s LNG supply situation. The gas crisis has deepened as regional tensions continue during the Iran-US war.
The federal government had lifted the ban on new gas connections a few months earlier. New connections were being provided through RLNG instead of the older gas supply system.
According to sources, RLNG connections are nearly four times more expensive than old gas connections.
RLNG demand notice increased sharply
Before the previous ban, the demand notice for a domestic gas connection was Rs6,500. For RLNG connections, the demand notice had been increased to Rs23,500.
Sources said new gas connections were being issued on the basis of priority applications.
Consumers applying on an urgent basis were also issued an additional urgent demand notice of Rs25,000. As a result, each consumer had to pay around Rs50,000 for a new RLNG connection.
The higher cost had already made new gas connections more expensive for households and businesses.
PTI-era government had imposed earlier ban
The ban on new gas connections was originally imposed during the PTI-era government. It had later been lifted by the federal government a few months ago, allowing new RLNG-based connections.
The latest decision once again stops new connections as authorities review the LNG supply situation.
