The federal government has decided not to increase gas prices from January 2026. Tariffs will remain unchanged throughout the year.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik informed the standing committee of the National Assembly of Pakistan on Tuesday that gas prices were being kept unchanged from January on the instructions of the prime minister, reported a news daily.
He said the decision was taken as the gas sector’s circular debt was no longer increasing. The current gas circular debt stands at Rs. 3,000 billion, which also includes LNG-related liabilities. He added that around Rs. 1,700 billion of this amount is interest.
Ali Pervaiz Malik said gas prices would not be increased during the current year and that consumers would continue to pay the same rates in 2026.
During the briefing, he also highlighted Pakistan’s LNG supply arrangements, saying Qatar had honoured its contract even during periods of extreme global price volatility. He said that when LNG prices surged to as high as $30 per unit in international markets, Qatar continued supplies to Pakistan under the agreed terms.
The minister also briefed the committee on gas demand patterns in the power sector. He said the power sector demands around 800 million cubic feet per day in the morning, which falls to 400 MMCFD by midday. In January, the sector initially demanded 200 MMCFD, but later increased its requirement to 500 MMCFD, he added.
He further told the committee that offshore drilling was planned in the Indus Basin by Turkish Petroleum, and that Pakistani companies involved would be required to contribute financing for these projects.
