Five years on, SNGPL yet to deliver 72,000 paid connections | The Express Tribune

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited has failed to process around 72,000 gas connection applications despite the lapse of five years and collecting full payments from the applicants — a clear violation of OGRA service standards.

Audit officials revealed it to the subcommittee of the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which expressed strong displeasure over the company’s lacklusture attitude and directed that the matter be referred back to the Departmental Accounts Committee for further review and action.

The meeting, chaired by PPP MNA Syed Naveed Qamar, was informed that the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited had collected full payments from consumers but failed to provide the promised gas connections. According to the briefing, even after consumers paid urgent processing fees, gas meters were not installed — prompting the committee to censure SNGPL officials for negligence and poor service.

Audit officials informed the committee that contrary to OGRA standards, SNGPL did not process connection requests promptly. They revealed that 71,892 applications were submitted up to November 27, 2021, and while fees were collected immediately, the meters have no so far been installed.

The auditors further noted that service lines were laid at 3,028 locations, yet no meters were installed there. Additionally, 14,000 consumers who paid urgent fees were still waiting connections. Despite the ban on new gas connections, instructions to prioritise urgent cases were ignored. Audit authorities said that SNGPL caused ‘undue delays’ in providing gas connections and demonstrated ‘gross negligence in service delivery’, thereby violating OGRA service standards.

Qamar criticised the gas company, saying, “What fault lies with the people who trusted you and paid in full? This is sheer stubbornness — you take the money immediately but install the connections at your leisure.?” After deliberations, the PAC subcommittee ordered that the issue be sent back to the DAC for reconsideration and appropriate action.

Last month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the opening of new gas connections for domestic consumers. Addressing a ceremony related to the resumption of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas connections to domestic consumers in Islamabad, the prime minister had said that the government had taken the decision in response to long-standing public demand.

The prime minister recalled that in 2022, there was immense public pressure for gas connections, but the government was facing challenges. He emphasised that with this landmark decision, the public will now be able to access affordable and quality fuel.