On Monday night, the interim government made a significant announcement that will have a profound impact on the nation’s economy.
The decision involved a substantial increase in gas prices, set to take effect on November 1st, 2023.
Under this new pricing structure, non-protected domestic consumers will experience a substantial surge in their gas tariffs.
Specifically, rates will surge by a staggering 173 per cent for this category of consumers. Commercial users will see their gas prices climb by 136.4 per cent, while those in the export and non-export industries will face increases of 91 per cent and 83 per cent, respectively.
Further elaborating on the specifics of these changes, the revised monthly charges for protected consumers have been elevated from a mere Rs10 to a more substantial Rs400. For non-protected consumers, the monthly charges have surged from Rs460 to Rs1000, and for higher consumption slabs, the charges have escalated to a maximum of Rs2000.
In terms of actual consumption, the price per mmbtu will vary depending on usage. Users consuming up to 0.25 cubic metres will be charged Rs121 per mmbtu.
Those using up to 0.5 cubic metres will pay Rs150 per mmbtu; users with a monthly consumption of 0.60 cubic metres will incur charges of Rs200 per mmbtu; and those utilising 0.9 cubic metres will see rates set at Rs250 per mmbtu.
The steepest increase is witnessed by individuals using 1 cubic metre of gas per month, as their charges have surged from Rs400 per mmbtu to Rs1,000 per mmbtu. Users with gas consumption up to 1.5 cubic metres, previously paying Rs600 per mmbtu, will now be required to pay Rs1,200 per mmbtu starting from November 1st.
The changes in gas pricing also extend to small commercial users, such as local tandoors, who will be paying Rs697 per mmbtu from the aforementioned date.
The power sector will experience a range of charges, with rates fluctuating between Rs1,050 and Rs3,890 per mmbtu, while the cement industry will be subject to a consistent rate of Rs4,400 per mmbtu.
As for the export industry, gas pricing has been set at Rs2,100 to Rs2,400 per mmbtu, while non-export industries will be required to pay between Rs2,200 and Rs2,500 per mmbtu. These significant adjustments have been made to alleviate the burden on the nation’s economy.
The Power Division, in an official statement, justified the increase in gas prices by referencing the recommendations of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, which sought to prevent an additional burden of Rs400 billion on the already burgeoning circular debt.
