The government has raised CNG price by Rs 7 per kg with immediate effect from Sunday for consumers in Potohar region, Rawalpindi , Islamabad, Gujar Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. According to a notification by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), new CNG price for the above-stated regions would be Rs 66.42 per kilogram, against the previous price Rs 59.57 per kg.
The CNG price for the remaining parts of the country, including Sindh and Punjab (excluding Potohar region) has also been increased by around 11 percent but would be relatively cheaper at Rs 63.11 per kilogram against previous price of Rs 56.80 per kg. The decision to increase CNG price is aimed at reducing the price differential between petrol and CNG prices. An understanding was reached between the Ministry of Petroleum and All Pakistan CNG association in July 2011 to increase the CNG price to 55 percent price of petrol and Rs 7 per kg increase in the compressed gas price by Ogra may be in line with the agreement.
The notification stated that in exercise of the powers conferred by section 43B of the Ogra Ordinance 2009, "the Authority, in supersession of notification of dated May 4, 2011, is pleased to determine and notify maximum sale price of compressed natural gas to be charged by a licensed CNG station from a consumers with effect from August 7".
The price for KP, Balochistan and Potyohar regions (Rawalpindi, Islamabd and Gujranwala @ 1070British thermal unit (BTU) has been increased to Rs 66.42 per kg, whereas the price for Sindh and Punjab (excluding Potohar region @950 BTU would be Rs 63.11 per kg, the notification added.