ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced the reopening of new gas connections for domestic consumers, ending a nearly four-year ban. The decision marks a major policy shift aimed at addressing long-standing public demand for reliable household fuel supply, Radio Pakistan reported.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the resumption of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) connections in Islamabad, the Prime Minister said the move reflects the government’s commitment to providing citizens with affordable and quality energy.
“In 2022, there was immense public pressure for new gas connections, but the government faced multiple challenges,” the premier said. “With this landmark decision, the public will now have access to affordable and reliable fuel,” he added.
The announcement follows the federal cabinet’s September decision to lift the ban on new domestic gas connections and resume RLNG supply across the country.
In a video message played during the event, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik reaffirmed the government’s resolve to enhance public convenience through efficient energy delivery. He noted that the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) had successfully reduced its line losses to 4.93 percent while posting a profit of Rs29 billion in the previous fiscal year.
Officials said that the supply of RLNG will now be extended nationwide to facilitate thousands of new applicants awaiting domestic gas connections.
