Islamabad (The COW News Digital) The Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has revised its earlier decision to recover Rs 60 billion from RLNG (Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas) consumers, providing significant relief to various sectors of the economy.
The revision covers the period from April 2015 to June 2022. Previously, OGRA had planned to recover the full amount immediately from RLNG users due to differences between temporary and actual gas prices. Under the new plan, the Rs 60 billion will be paid in 24 monthly installments, and any late payment surcharges have been waived, easing the financial burden on consumers.
OGRA further stated that in cases of genuine financial difficulty, a consumer may request a customized installment plan through SNGPL (Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited). However, once an installment arrangement is agreed upon, any subsequent delay or non-payment will attract late payment charges as per SNGPL’s standard policy.
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This decision directly impacts key sectors including the power industry, export-oriented businesses, fertilizer producers, and the CNG sector. These stakeholders will now be able to settle their respective portions of the Rs 60 billion over 24 installments without any additional late fees.
The decision comes after years of disputes arising from the issuance of provisional RLNG prices by the regulator between April 2015 and June 2020. Once OGRA later determined the actual prices, it identified a difference of Rs 59.8 billion, comprising Rs 51.3 billion in differential gas charges and around Rs 8 billion in GST. Notably, the amount does not include late payment surcharges.
The revised recovery mechanism is expected to stabilize cash flows for industries heavily reliant on RLNG, while providing them much-needed financial flexibility amid fluctuating energy prices. Industry representatives have welcomed the move, noting that spreading the payment over two years without additional penalties will ease operational pressures and support continued production.
By implementing this adjusted repayment schedule, OGRA aims to balance regulatory compliance with economic relief, ensuring that consumers can meet obligations without jeopardizing industrial output or growth.
