After a gap of four years, the federal government has officially resumed new gas connections across the country, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launching the supply of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) for domestic consumers.
The initiative ends the moratorium imposed in 2021 when Pakistan faced a severe gas crisis that forced authorities to halt new connections nationwide.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister said the government had fulfilled a key public demand that had been pending for years. “This day marks the end of an era of regret. The gas infrastructure was built years ago, but supply was not available. Today, we are able to deliver,” Sharif remarked.
He acknowledged that addressing domestic gas shortages was one of the toughest challenges his government inherited in 2022. “We faced immense pressure from the public, but it was not possible to meet the demand at that time,” he said, crediting his administration for creating the conditions that have now made RLNG supply possible.
According to official estimates, hundreds of thousands of pending applications for new connections are expected to be processed by the Sui gas companies in the coming months.
The Petroleum Minister, Ali Pervaiz Malik, earlier said that both Sui Northern and Sui Southern had completed procurement of meters and pipelines and were ready to begin installations once the notification was issued.
He added that applicants would have the option to convert their requests into RLNG-based connections by paying a prescribed security fee to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
Malik clarified that while RLNG would remain more expensive than local natural gas, it would still be 30–35 percent cheaper than liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), offering a relatively affordable alternative.
“We already have surplus RLNG and adequate power supply,” he said. “The government’s next focus is on improving governance and ensuring long-term sustainability in the energy system.”
The resumption of RLNG-based connections is being seen as part of the government’s broader plan to balance domestic gas demand, utilize existing import terminals efficiently, and stabilize energy supplies across Pakistan ahead of the winter season.
