Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif officially announced the reopening of new gas connections after nearly four years, fulfilling a long-standing public demand, Radio Pakistan[1] reported on Sunday.
The announcement follows the federal cabinet’s decision in September to lift the ban on domestic gas connections and resume the supply of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG). Speaking at the time, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, accompanied by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, said the move marked a major policy shift aimed at improving energy accessibility for citizens.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad marking the resumption of RLNG connections, PM Shehbaz said the government had made the decision in response to continuous public pressure.
“In 2022, there was immense public demand for new gas connections, but the government faced serious challenges,” he said. “With this landmark decision, the public will now gain access to affordable and quality fuel.”
He added that RLNG would now be supplied nationwide to a large number of applicants. A video message from Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, played during the event, highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding gas access.
Malik also noted that the Sui Northern Gas Company had successfully reduced its line losses to 4.93 percent and recorded a profit of Rs29 billion in the last fiscal year, signaling stronger operational efficiency as new gas connections resume across the country.
References
- ^ Radio Pakistan (www.radio.gov.pk)