Top govt offices owe over Rs200m to SNGPL in gas dues

ISLAMABAD: The top 20 public sector entities, including Aiwan-e-Sadr, Parliament Lodges/MNA Hostel, the Ministry of Finance, the Foreign Office, and Parliament House, are listed as defaulters of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) with outstanding dues exceeding Rs200 million.

According to an official communication from SNGPL’s top management regarding recoveries, these state-owned institutions have accumulated substantial unpaid bills. For instance, Parliament Lodges/MNA Hostel (meter number 02210217) has total dues of Rs21,865,808 as of November 2024. Another meter for Parliament Lodges/MNA Hostel has been disconnected, with outstanding dues of Rs2,655,735. Similarly, CDA-H Block Parliament Lodges (meter number CU07014345) owes Rs433,590. The subtotal for these dues amounts to Rs24,955,133.

The Cabinet Division building is also on the defaulters’ list, with meter number RC01551798 and pending dues of Rs23,075,733. Aiwan-e-Sadr Main Building (meter number RC01624992) has outstanding dues of Rs11,469,830, while Aiwan-e-Sadr Police Barrack-C (meter number CU04060539) owes Rs2,856,192. Additionally, Aiwan-e-Sadr Barrack-A (meter number CU03044579) has dues of Rs2,359,717. Other Aiwan-e-Sadr facilities, including Police Barrack-B, Police Barrack-D, Washpoint, and Dispensary, are also among the defaulters.

The Foreign Office (meter number RC00843909) is listed with dues of Rs53,309,209. K-Block Building, Pak Secretariat (IB Headquarters, meter number RC01624958) owes Rs23,579,378, while M Block Building, Pak Secretariat (residing security contingents of Army and ICT for Parliamentarians, meter number AL0460661) is a defaulter with dues of Rs24,482,408. Q Block (Ministry of Finance, Pak Secretariat) has outstanding dues of Rs3,740,602, and its meter has been disconnected. B/D Block Building, Pak Secretariat, also has a disconnected meter with dues of Rs1,228,515. Other defaulters include: US Agency (meter number AL06033010): Rs219,300 Masjid Pak Secretariat: Rs40,271

Parliament House Building: Rs24,158,444

The official letter highlights that gas tariffs have risen sharply, increasing by 272% from Rs780 per MMBTU in January 2023 to Rs2,900 per MMBTU in February 2024.

Meanwhile, annual budget allocations for these offices are determined based on previous years’ funding, with only minor increases of up to 10% generally approved by the government.

SNGPL has contacted the government and the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) office to take measures for the recovery of the Rs200 million outstanding amount linked to these 20 meters and their respective entities.

Sources indicate that if the dues are not recovered promptly, recovery suits may be filed against the defaulting institutions.