- SNGPL got 32,500 applications in Islamabad in the last 5 years; however the authority gave the connections to only 6,617 applicants
- 2.1 million applicants still await gas connections all over Pakistan
Farid Sabri
Due to the slow process of issuance of gas connection by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), 2.10 million applicants still await the installation of new gas connections. The SNGPL gives 36 months as the minimum period for getting the gas connection in Pakistan.
Documents available with the paper reveal that, till date, there are 32,500 pending applications for provision of gas. However, as per OGRA notification, SNGPL is bound to decide on the case within three months from the date of filing of an application which is filed with urgent fees. Such applications number 25,000.
Sector wise numbers of applications received for gas connection in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) during last five years are: 7,374 received in E-11, 777 in F-11, 198 in F-10, 8 in F-9, 214 in F-8, 256 in F-7, 297 in F-6, 69 in F-5, 779 in G-11, 279 in G-10, 31 in G-9,204 in G-8, 136 in G-7, 92 in G-6, 496 in G-5, 1546 in G-13, 387 in G-14, 706 in G-15, 38 in G-16, 720 in I-8, 136 in I-9, 970 in I-10, and 331 in I-11.
SNGPL in the last five years only managed to give gas connections to 6,617 applicants. Including 1029 in E-11, 281 in F-11, 112 in F-10, 111 in F-8, 91 in F-7, 66 in F-6, 15 in F-5, 526 in G-11, 193 in G-10, 11 in G-9, 112 in G-8, 38 in G-7, 58 in G-6, 350 in G-5, 1251 in G-13, 318 in G-14, 924 in G-15, 12 in G-16, 435 in I-8, 65 in I-9, 482 in I-10, and 137 in I-11.
25,883 applicants are still waiting for gas connections in the federal capital. Mohsin, a resident of sector G-10 said that he was trying to get a new gas connection for his newly constructed house in sector G-14 for the last 2 and a half years. Despite having paid a bribe of Rs 50,000 to an official of SNGPL, no one paid any heed to the matter.
An official of SNGPL, on condition of anonymity confided in Pakistan Today that citizens were made to run from pillar to post because the government had failed to act appropriately in making new policies and to give relief to the citizens as was their right.
The year-wise revenue generated by SNGPL was Rs 373.845 m in 2013-14, Rs 958.091 m in 2014-15, Rs 758.747 m in 2015-16 and Rs 92.540 m in 2016-17.
Despite several attempts, the Senior General Officer of Customer Services, Syed Javad Naseem wasn’t available for a comment. A junior official replied that Mr. Naseem is away in Saudi Arabia performing Umra.
