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IMF diktat: Authorities mull 100% increase in gas tariff for protected consumers

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  • Gas system faces Rs100 billion deficit on their account.
  • Govt mulls ending disparity between export and non-export sectors.
  • IMF has asked Pakistan to curb circular debt in energy sector.

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is planning to hike gas tariff for protected consumers and end disparity in gas tariffs between export and non-export industries from January 2024 in line with International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, The News quoted a senior energy ministry official as saying on Tuesday.

The official told the publication that the authorities are working on a staggered increase for ‘protected residential consumers’ across the country from January 2024, as the gas system faces an Rs100 billion deficit on their account.

This yet another increase, follows the 193% gas tariff hike in November 1, 2023. In that however, the protected gas consumers didn’t experience any increase except for that in meter charges from Rs10 to Rs400 per month. These protected gas consumers constitute 57% of the total countrywide consumers.

The authorities want to increase the gas prices of the protected consumers by 100% in two phases, in January and July 2024, which are currently at the lowest ebb compared to the other categories of domestic consumers. Therefore, it would do away with the Rs100 billion deficit incurred on the facility in a staggered manner.

Under the IMF diktat, the government is also set to end the disparity of gas tariff between export and non-export industries in January 2024 which will fetch them a Rs20-30 billion more revenue. The export and non-export sectors will be treated as one industrial sector with uniform tariffs, top officials of the energy ministry told The News. 

In addition, the IMF also wants the government to do away with the cross-subsidies of Rs27 billion being extended to the fertilizer giants — Engro Fertilizer in the Sui Northern system and Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim Limited in the Sui Southern system.

“Those captive power plants connected with the natural electricity grid would not be provided gas, but those not connected with the national grid will now get the RLNG and not the local gas. The government is working to increase the gas tariff for the export sector by Rs100 per MMBtu both for export and captive plants to bring their tariff at par with the tariff of non-export industry.” 

“According to IMF directions, these measures would generate additional revenue of over Rs100 billion. This would scale down the natural gas circular debt that currently stands at Rs1,250 billion,” officials said.

At present, the gas tariff for the export sector stands at Rs2,100 per MMBtu and for non-export is at Rs2,200 per unit. The gas tariff for captive power plants for the export industry stands at Rs2,400 per MMBtu and for captive power plants of the non-export industry is at Rs2,500 per MMBtu. 

“The authorities want to end the disparity between their tariffs which will help raise the revenue of Rs20-30 billion per year.”

Coming towards the cross-subsidy of Rs27 billion being extended to the fertilizer sector, the officials said that the gas tariff for feedstock stands at Rs580 billion and Rs1,580 per MMBtu as fuel. The authorities want to end the cross-subsidy of Rs27 billion by bringing their tariff to Rs1,271 per MMBtu both for feedstock and fuel purposes.

Despite the rise, they argued that the expected increase for protected consumers would stay much below that of the other categories. In the first phase from January 2024 it would reduce to half the Rs100 billion deficit. The next phase of a hike from July 1 will remove the remaining Rs50 billion deficit.

According to the revised calculation in wake of the proposed increase, 0.25hm3 category will pay Rs242 from existing Rs121 per MMBtu, 0.5hm3 consumers tariff will hike to Rs300 from Rs150 per MMBtu, 0.6hm3 consumers tariff will go up to Rs400 from Rs200 per MMBtu and 0.9hm3 category of consumers tariff will be at Rs500 from Rs250 per MMBtu.

The government has already increased the gas tariff by up to 193% from November 1, 2023 under which it will collect revenue of Rs980 billion in the ongoing FY24 even though the revenue requirements of both the gas companies stand for ongoing FY24 at Rs705 billion. 

This has allowed the collection of an additional Rs275 billion to pay the Rs210 billion cost incurred for RLNG diversion to the domestic sector in the ongoing winter season. It also offsets the loss of Rs65 billion incurred due to the failure of the government to notify gas price hike four months late.

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Trade ties between Pak-Oman: Both nations decide to activate “Joint Business Council”.

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Jam Kamal Khan, federal minister for commerce, visited Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Muscat alongside chairman Faisal Abdullah Al Rawas.

To enable closer economic collaboration, both sides decided during the meeting to activate joint Business Council between OCCI and the federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and industry.

Concurrent with the conference, the Embassy of Pakistan arranged a b2b networking event in association with OCCI to gather Omani Businessmen and Pakistani Business Delegates investigating trade prospects.

Speaking on the occasion, Jam Kamal Khan said, “Our present trade figures do not fairly represent the depth of our connection. We can quickly raise the current Trade volume to two or three times its present level by just eliminating logistical and communication barriers.

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Despite economic gains, PSX remains strong.

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Amidst the ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding a loan tranche, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has resumed its upward trajectory in recent days.

The KSE-100 Index gained 600 points on Friday, the penultimate working day of the business week, and then increased to 115,730 points as traders showed confidence and engaged in trading.

After experiencing fluctuations, the PSX gained strength on Thursday, as the major index surpassed 115,000 points.

The KSE 100-Index closed at 115,094.23 points after gaining 1,009.70 points, or 0.89 percent. 115,247.39 was the intraday high, and 14,429.93 was the lowest.

According to experts, one important factor is Moody’s Ratings’ upgrade of Pakistani banks. Investor confidence has also increased due to the expectation of a positive conclusion from the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In its assessment, Moody’s stated, “We have shifted our outlook on Pakistan’s banking system from stable to positive to reflect the banks’ resilient financial performance as well as improving macroeconomic conditions from very weak levels a year ago.”

The major index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surpassed 115,000 on Thursday, indicating a surge in the market.

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Pakistan resolves to meet benchmarks, and the IMF promises economic help.

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In the midst of an ongoing economic review, the delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has promised Pakistan economic cooperation.

In order to assess the delivery of a $1 billion tranche under the $7 billion rescue deal, IMF officials are now in Pakistan.

Today, March 14, marks the completion of the two-week-long economic review and negotiations between the global lender’s representatives and Pakistani authorities.

The team met with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb at the Ministry of Finance for the last round of negotiations.

The nation’s economic team’s actions and performance were praised by the visiting officials.

Aurangzeb promised the IMF during the conference that all economic goals would be met. He said that as long as the loan program is in place, no goals would be broken.

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