A major dispute has arisen between Pakistan’s industrial sector and gas authorities over a collection of 50 billion rupees in outstanding gas bills, a matter described as highly serious by Atif Ikram Sheikh, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI). Sheikh raised these concerns during a discussion with Masroor Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), at a high-profile meeting held at the FPCCI Secretariat in Islamabad.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the business community, OGRA members, and other key stakeholders, all of whom deliberated on the pressing challenges facing the industrial sector. Sheikh informed the OGRA chairman that the sudden imposition of billions of rupees in gas bills by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has placed an enormous financial burden on industries across the country.
Sheikh called for urgent and appropriate measures to revive industrial activities, emphasizing the need for fair and effective solutions to address these mounting challenges. He also highlighted that resolving the gas billing crisis is essential to ensuring the survival and growth of Pakistan’s industrial sector.
In response, OGRA Chairman Masroor Ahmed Khan stressed the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, including the business community and regulatory authorities, to solve the nation’s economic problems. He reaffirmed OGRA’s commitment to protecting the interests of both industrial and domestic gas consumers and acknowledged that the authority has taken steps to minimize the additional financial load on consumers.
Both sides agreed that regular dialogue and joint action among regulators, the business sector, and other partners are crucial for overcoming issues and ensuring the sustainable development of Pakistan’s economy.
