ISLAMABAD: The federal government has introduced the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the Senate, proposing a quarterly gas pricing mechanism to ensure timely tariff adjustments and prevent the accumulation of circular debt in the natural gas sector.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The bill was introduced by State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry during the final day of the Senate’s 364th session on Friday, chaired by Presiding Officer Shahadat Awan in the absence of Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani and Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan.
Following its introduction, the proposed legislation was referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat for further consideration. It seeks amendments to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority Ordinance, 2002.
According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, the proposed amendments aim to establish a quarterly gas pricing mechanism that would enable timely adjustments in natural gas and Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) tariffs in response to fluctuations in international prices and changes in the rupee-dollar exchange rate.
The proposed mechanism also includes a 30-day timeline for the federal government to provide its advice on tariff adjustments, with the objective of aligning gas prices more closely with prevailing market conditions.
The bill states that quarterly reviews and timely government decisions would ensure more accurate pricing, reduce delays in tariff revisions and help curb the accumulation of circular debt, thereby improving the financial and operational stability of the entire gas supply chain.
Separately, the Senate passed two government bills: the Pakistan Study Centres (Amendment) Bill, 2026 and the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Both were presented by the state interior minister.
The legislation seeks to ensure 33 per cent women’s representation in Pakistan Study Centres and the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), in line with the prime minister’s directives for greater female representation across federal boards, statutory bodies, public-sector organisations and related committees.
During the question hour, PML-N Senator Nasir Mahmood, also known as Nasir Butt, criticised the federal government over the condition of Pakistan Railways, describing alleged irregularities as major misconduct. He highlighted deteriorating railway tracks, frequent accidents and encroachment on railway land.
Responding to the concerns, Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi said the department was following a zero-tolerance policy against land grabbing and had directed railway personnel to identify encroached properties and retrieve them.
The House also discussed the deteriorating condition of the newly constructed Hazara Motorway following a calling attention notice by PTI Senator Mohsin Aziz. State Minister Talal Chaudhry informed the Senate that the federal government had allocated Rs900 million for repair and maintenance work on the motorway.
The Senate session was subsequently prorogued.
Story by Sardar Sikander Shaheen
