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IMF condition: ECC set to green light gas tariff hike today

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11 months ago

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  • Tariff may go up by 173% for non-protected domestic consumers. 
  • Petroleum Division to push for implementation of hike from Oct 1. 
  • Circular debt to increase by Rs15bn if hike implemented from today.

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) will meet today (Monday) to green-light the plan to hike the gas tariff, a key part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, including a zero hike in the gas circular debt for the ongoing financial year 2023-24, reported The News.

The government is likely to increase the local gas tariff up to 173% for non-protected domestic consumers, 136.4% for commercial, 86.4% for export and 117% for the non-export industry.

Since there is no budgeted subsidy for even domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors, the high-end consumers will provide cross-subsidies to low-end consumers.

The government’s failure to hike the gas prices from July 1 has forced it to incur a loss of Rs50 billion during the July-September in the gas sector. But the losses will be bridged when the government moves ahead with the increase in the gas tariff which would give enough monetary space to recover with the loss.

As per the publication, the IMF has been taken onboard on this point. It has been informed that the gas prices would be increased in such a manner that it would not increase the circular debt during this financial year, which right now stands at Rs2.9 trillion.

However, now the Petroleum Division will try to ensure that the gas tariff hike is implemented from October 1. If the government decides to implement the hike from today onwards then the circular debt would increase by Rs15 billion.

But there would be no increase in the gas tariff from January 1, 2024, a further gas tariff increase would be implemented as under the law, the review of gas prices is carried out bi-annually.

The cement sector will have to purchase the gas 193.3% higher than the current cost, making it the biggest bearer of the brunt, from 1,500 per MMBtu to Rs4,400 per MMBtu.

The CNG sector, will face the second-highest increase in gas tariff by 143.8% from Rs1,805 per MMBtu to Rs4,400.

If the hike is approved, then it means that cement prices will skyrocket and CNG will be much more expensive than petrol.

The government, however, does not plan on increasing the tariff for tandoors which would ensure that roti prices remain stable.

The summary prepared by the petroleum ministry that is to be pitched today in the ECC meeting shows it has not spared the four protected domestic consumer categories as ostensibly it has not proposed to increase their gas tariffs but hiked their monthly fixed charges from Rs10 to Rs400 per month.

More importantly, the Petroleum Division has also proposed to escalate the per month fixed charges for the first 4 non-protected domestic consumers by 117.4% to Rs1,000 from Rs460 per month from their gas tariffs increase by 50-150%. Also, to be increased are per month fixed charges for the remaining 4 non-protected domestic consumers, by 334.78%, to Rs2,000 from Rs460 per month part, increasing their gas tariff by 100%-173%.

The summary states that SNGPL will now offer a blend of natural gas and RLNG in a 20:80 ratio to non-export industry out of the estimated volumes for industrial consumers, both process and captive, as per petitions filed by SNGPL to OGRA for revenue determination.

The blend offered by the Sui companies shall be reviewed every quarter based on the availability of natural gas and RLNG. And SSGC shall offer a blend of NG and RLNG of 90:10 out of the estimated volumes for industrial consumers, both process and captive, as per petitions filed by SSGC to OGRA for revenue determination.

Coming to the export industry, the summary says that currently, there is a wide price disparity between the industry operating on SSGCL and SNGPL networks. Industry in the north (operating on the SNGPL network) consumes a 50:50 blend of indigenous and RLNG for 9 months (Mar to Nov) and 100% RLNG for 3 months (Dec-Feb), averaging to the current tariff of $9.6/MMBtu (Rs2,790) over the year.

On the other hand, process connections of the industry in the south (operating on SSGCL) are being charged at Rs1,100/MMBtu. SSGC has recently started a supply of blend in the proportion of 75:25 for captive use of gas, which approximates $5.9/MMBtu (Rs1,710).

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It is anticipated that 150 ships would arrive at Gwadar by the year 2045, allowing the port to handle fifty percent of all imports.

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3 days ago

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In an effort to strengthen the port’s economic importance, the Federal Government has made the decision to direct fifty percent of all imports from the public sector to Gwadar Port.

By taking this action, which has the backing of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the port’s financial situation is going to be improved.

The Cabinet will be presented with a summary of imports through Gwadar by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, which will take place after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent trip to China.

When the next Cabinet Meeting takes place, Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, will examine the Chinese offer for the Karachi to Hyderabad Section of the ML-1 Project and bring it to the Cabinet.

Company preparations for the Shanghai International Import Expo, which will take place in November 2024, are being made by the Board of Investment and the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan.

One of the most important aspects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is the Gwadar port, which serves as a significant commerce route connecting China, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. At this time, the Gwadar Port is able to accommodate two huge ships, and by the year 2045, it is anticipated that it would be able to handle up to 150 ships.

By developing the Gwadar Port, regional connectivity would be improved, employment will be created, and international investment will be attracted.

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The price of gold in Pakistan has experienced a significant surge.

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3 days ago

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Gold prices in Pakistan surged significantly on Thursday following two consecutive days of decline, with the price per tola rising by Rs2,000 to reach Rs262,100. This increase was in accordance with the downward trend in international market values.

The All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA) reported that the price of 10 grams of 24-karat gold rose by Rs1,714, reaching Rs224,708.

Conversely, the world gold market experienced an upward trajectory. According to the APGJSA, the global price of gold surged to $2,503 per ounce following a $22 gain during the trading session.

The local market experienced a significant decline in silver prices, decreasing from Rs50 to Rs2,900 per tola after a prolonged period.

The local market’s gold prices remain subject to the ever-changing dynamics of the international market, as well as domestic considerations such as currency exchange rates and domestic demand.

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The government has not met the deadline set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the approval of a $7 billion loan.

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4 days ago

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On Tuesday night, there were virtual talks between representatives of the Finance Ministry and the IMF delegation, with the main topics being external finance and income generation.

According to people familiar with the situation, no date has been set for the IMF’s Executive Board to approve the loan despite the ongoing negotiations.

Officials from the Finance Ministry informed the IMF mission about the government’s initiatives to get outside funding during the discussions. Updates on loan rollovers and fresh finance commitments from allies were included in this. According to sources, the IMF has received a schedule, and loan rollovers are expected to be finished by the end of next week.

The $12 billion in debt must be rolled over before the loan can be approved by the Executive Board, according to the IMF mission.

In the virtual discussions, representatives of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) conversed with the IMF team over the revenue deficit. The FBR must reach its revenue goals for this month, according to the IMF mission. As a result, the IMF has asked the FBR to submit a thorough strategy outlining how it will close the gap left by the shortfall and guarantee that revenue goals are reached.

Apart from the conversations on outside funding, there are rumors that the Finance Ministry is actively holding talks with commercial banks in order to obtain new funding. According to reports, negotiations are taking place with four distinct sources for commercial loans, which are anticipated to support the government’s overall financial plan.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb disclosed on Tuesday that the IMF was in favor of introducing targeted subsidies. He said that qualifying recipients might receive these subsidies through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

In order to guarantee consistency, the minister announced that this week’s talks with chief ministers will focus on implementing a similar policy across the country. He was having a casual conversation in parliament with the journalists.

In response to queries about outside funding, Aurangzeb revealed a $2 billion deficit and said that talks to close this gap are progressing. He stressed how crucial it is to obtain business loans.

He went on, “At this point, there’s a need to secure an agreement for commercial loans, not exactly their issuance,” emphasizing that debt rollover negotiations are nearing their conclusion and doing well. The minister expected that these developments would shortly be reported to the governments of allied countries by relevant authorities.

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