ISLAMABAD — October 26, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced the reopening of new domestic gas connections, ending a nearly four-year ban, in what the government described as a major public relief measure to meet rising household energy demand.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad marking the resumption of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) connections to domestic consumers, the prime minister said the decision was made in response to a long-standing public demand.
“In 2022, there was immense public pressure for new gas connections, but the government was facing challenges,” Sharif said, as quoted by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan. “With this landmark decision, the public will now be able to access affordable and quality fuel.”
The move follows the federal cabinet’s September decision to lift the 2021 ban on new gas connections and authorize the supply of RLNG to households across the country. The ban, imposed amid severe gas shortages and financial constraints, had long been a source of frustration for consumers awaiting connections.
A video message from Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik was played during the ceremony, in which he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to energy and “providing maximum facilities to the public.” Malik noted that the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) had reduced its line losses to 4.93 percent and earned a profit of Rs29 billion in the last fiscal year.
Earlier, the petroleum minister chaired a meeting to review a comprehensive rollout plan for RLNG connections. To ensure effective oversight and timely execution, he directed the creation of dedicated Project Management Offices (PMOs) at both SNGPL and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL).
“These offices will monitor the entire process — from application to connection — ensuring that targets are met and public grievances are addressed promptly,” Malik said in a news release.
In a major relief for consumers awaiting connections, the government announced that applicants who have already paid for a demand note can now submit the differential amount and security fee to qualify for an RLNG connection under the new scheme.
The managing directors of SNGPL and SSGCL presented detailed strategies for the implementation of the government’s directive, setting an ambitious target to provide new domestic RLNG connections within the first year.
To enhance transparency and public convenience, the application process will be digitally streamlined — allowing consumers to apply online via the official websites and mobile apps of the gas utilities, in addition to traditional in-person applications.
Malik emphasized that expanding access to RLNG remains a top priority for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, aimed at fulfilling the “public’s long-standing demand for clean, affordable energy.”
