Govt lifts 4-year ban on new domestic gas connections

Islamabad: The federal government has officially lifted a four-year ban on new domestic gas connections and announced that new consumers will now be provided with re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) connections instead of locally produced natural gas.

This major policy shift was unveiled by Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik, during a press conference held alongside Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry on Wednesday. Malik stated that the federal cabinet approved the decision following directions from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aiming to ease public hardship, particularly in new housing developments.

The ban, which was imposed in 2021, had forced residents of newly developed housing societies and apartment complexes to rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and other alternative fuels. “There’s the constant hassle of getting LPG cylinders refilled, and many of them are substandard, posing serious safety risks including gas leaks,” said Malik.

He explained that the two national gas distribution companies have completed the necessary preparations and would soon begin processing pending connection requests once the cabinet’s notification is issued. While RLNG is more expensive than indigenous gas, Malik pointed out that it is still 30–35% cheaper than LPG, offering some relief to affected residents.

Pending applicants will be contacted and given the option to switch to RLNG by paying the required fee and installing the appropriate infrastructure. The minister assured that RLNG billing will follow the same monthly cycle currently used by local gas consumers. He also acknowledged that RLNG is not an ideal long-term solution due to its cost but emphasized the government’s commitment to boosting local gas exploration to offer more affordable alternatives in the future.

Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry added that the decision addresses a long-standing public grievance regarding the lack of gas connections and is expected to improve overall convenience for residents.

He also shared updates from the recent federal cabinet meeting, including prayers for Major Adnan Aslam, discussions on flood-related issues in Punjab and Sindh, and plans for declaring an agricultural emergency. Chaudhry reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to counter-terrorism and praised China as a steadfast ally entering a new phase of bilateral cooperation.