Exorbitant gas bills

It was PM Imran and his PTI government which had, in October, made a 143% hike in gas prices

Social media is full of people posting pictures of their exorbitant gas bills. Protests have finally had an effect on the government’s cold shoulder towards domestic consumers with Prime Minister Imran Khan ordering a probe.

It was PM Imran and his PTI government which had, in October, made a 143 per cent hike in gas prices, making it the highest amongst all sectors.

For those consuming up to 50 mmcfd, the price was raised by 10 per cent to Rs121 per unit to take a minimum bill of Rs252 to Rs275. For those consuming up to 100 mmfcd, the bills were inflated by 15 per cent or by Rs71.

Similarly, at the highest end, the monthly bills of those consuming 500 mmcfd and above increased by 143 per cent to Rs30,339. Base charges for gas consumers were also increased from Rs148.50 to Rs163.35 a month.

With the public up in arms at the high bills, the prime minister stated that putting an additional burden on domestic gas consumers is unacceptable. It is ironic for the PM to issue such a statement when his cabinet had approved the hike. Moreover, he had dismissed protestations at that time from the opposition parties.

All this shows that seemingly the premier is not in control of things. His government approved a recommendation from the departments concerned without fully realising the impact it would have.

Further, the transfer of the managing directors of the two gas companies on his orders was evidence that he has yet to become fully aware of his writ and the consequences of exercising those powers.

The PM’s petroleum minister, when asked at a recent news briefing about who was calculating the gas prices, did not have any cogent response.

The PM’s administration has been hiding behind the excuse of inexperience in running the government. But this inexperience is now taking a toll on the public. The government needs to quickly come to grips with the heavy crown that lies on its head.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5^th, 2019.

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