Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Chief Executive Officer Aamir Tufail has said that the gas-related issues faced by industrialists are being resolved on a priority basis. In this regard, pending requests for new industrial gas connections and over-billing complaints are being addressed swiftly while a focal person will be appointed to ensure the timely resolution of complaints.

Speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Tufail said that where industries or industrial areas require additional gas, dedicated pipelines would be laid following their request.

He pointed out that domestic consumers were being supplied gas at a loss with around 40% recovery, which was one of the reasons for gas outages and the pending three million applications for new connections.

He acknowledged that gas supply to the industries was expensive and tariff reduction was beyond SNGPL’s authority. However, industries can be facilitated through gas blending. He said the industry plays a vital role in national economic growth and its development is equally important for SNGPL as industrial growth leads to higher gas demand.

Speaking on the occasion, acting LCCI President Engineer Khalid Usman emphasised that gas was the backbone of Pakistan’s industrial sector but its reserves had been depleting over the years, which posed various challenges to industrialists across the country, including Lahore.

He said that gas comprises about 29% of Pakistan’s energy mix and the promotion of alternative energy sources could allow gas to be diverted from power generation to industrial consumption.

Khalid Usman added that SNGPL’s gas losses were 5.15% in 2022-23, which were reduced to 4.93% in 2023-24, noting that further improvement was possible.

He, however, voiced concern that gas pressure was extremely low in many industrial areas, which results in significant production losses and financial damage to the manufacturing units.

The acting LCCI chief remarked that the restriction on new domestic gas connections was harming SNGPL itself. LCCI members are also facing unexpected gas shutdowns, which disrupt factory schedules and prevent exporters from timely meeting orders.

“This undermines foreign buyers’ confidence. Due to such reasons, industries are relocating and many have ceased operations altogether,” he said. Khalid Usman proposed that dedicated gas pipelines should be allocated for industrial zones to maintain stable pressure, adding that exporting industries, in particular, should be provided gas at discounted rates, so they could compete well in the global market and reduce the trade deficit.