In an effort to enhance energy accessibility, the government has announced plans to issue approximately 116,000 new gas connections in the upcoming fiscal year, even amid ongoing natural gas shortages.
Budget documents reveal that 115,530 domestic gas connections are slated to be added nationwide. In addition to households, the plan includes 550 new connections for commercial users and 350 for industrial consumers.
Regionally, 85,740 new connections will be allocated to Sindh and Balochistan, while 30,530 will be distributed among Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This regional breakdown reflects the government’s aim to balance development across both southern and northern parts of the country.
The expansion will be executed through two main gas distribution companies. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) is tasked with managing the provision of 30,530 connections within its operational areas, primarily covering Punjab and KP. Meanwhile, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) will oversee 85,740 new connections across Sindh and Balochistan.
This initiative comes at a time when energy sector reforms are in focus. Although electricity tariffs have been recently reduced, SNGPL has concurrently implemented significant gas price hikes, adding financial pressure on consumers.
Despite these challenges, the government maintains that expanding the gas supply network is essential for economic growth and improving quality of life, particularly in underserved regions.
