{
  "id": 3704887,
  "title": "Govt hints at uniform gas pricing, says existing system needs to be 'revisited'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/govt-hints-at-uniform-gas-pricing-says-existing-system-needs-to-be-3704887",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-27T08:00:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2025491/govt-hints-at-uniform-gas-pricing-says-existing-system-needs-to-be-revisited"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Islamabad - The government has indicated its intention to introduce a single average gas price for all consumers, replacing the existing slab-based pricing system that currently involves cross-subsidies and budgetary subsidies. Currently, the prescribed gas price is around Rs1,700 per million British thermal units (mmBtu), however, consumers are charged at varying rates, from Rs500 to Rs4,300 per mmBtu depending on consumption levels. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the International Monetary Fund have urged the government to eliminate subsidies, recover true gas supply costs from consumers, and provide direct subsidies when necessary. During a meeting presided over by Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, the existing subsidy system through pricing slabs was deemed to need revision, emphasizing the need to establish a uniform, fair gas price for all consumers while safeguarding vulnerable groups through targeted social protection programs. The minister directed the Sui Southern Gas Company’s (SSGC) board to devise a comprehensive strategy and sustainable business model, with a particular focus on controlling unaccounted-for gas (UFG) to turn the company financially viable while maintaining public service as the primary priority. SSGC reported significant improvements, including a 57% reduction in UFG in terms of volume, with no gas loadshedding for K-Electric, industrial consumers, and fertiliser plants, while domestic consumers received gas three times daily. The minister mentioned gas prices remained unchanged for the past year, and the gas circular debt accumulation had nearly been halted, marking progress towards sector stabilization. Ogra had determined a reduction in gas prices, but the government absorbed the impact, reducing gas circular debt by approximately Rs55 billion. The minister urged the SSGC board to develop a reform strategy focused on making the company self-sustaining, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing losses and theft, strengthening revenue recovery, and optimizing resource utilization. The World Bank is collaborating with Pakistan on gas sector reforms to address structural challenges and foster a more efficient, sustainable, and financially viable gas sector. Malik also addressed gas supply issues in Balochistan, endorsing the formation of a political committee under Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to examine the province’s challenges, viewing it as a positive step towards resolving longstanding issues. The minister directed addressing gas supply challenges, technical constraints, infrastructure limitations, and gas theft in Balochistan as a top priority, stressing the importance of public service as the foremost priority in all decision-making.",
  "summary": "ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday hinted at introducing a uniform average gas price for all consumers, replacing the existing slab-based pricing system for different categories that involves cross-subsidies and budgetary subsidies. The average prescribed gas price, determined by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) based on the revenue requirements of gas companies, currently stands at…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}