Sindh govt asks PM to take notice of Ogra’s ‘unjust’ decision to increase gas prices

The federal government should consult the provinces before implementing Ogra’s decisions, said Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah on Wednesday.

He rejected Ogra's decision to increase gas prices, calling it intolerable and arbitrary. In his response to Ogra’s announcement, he said that the already burdened public cannot bear additional costs amid rising inflation.

He urged the federal government to consult the provincial governments before implementing Ogra’s decisions. He criticised the officials in Ogra, stating that they have already increased gas prices by 200 percent, and now the decision to further hike prices by 25.78 percent is unjust. If implemented, the new gas price will reach Rs17.62 per MMBTU. He added that skyrocketing electricity and gas bills have already made life difficult for the public, and further increasing this burden would be an act of hostility against the people.

The Sindh government has consistently demanded provincial representation in Ogra, Shah said and emphasized that the Sindh government would never support unilateral and coercive decisions that imposed additional inflationary pressure on the public.

He urged the prime minister to take immediate notice of Ogra’s unjust decisions. Later, the minister for energy stated that the Sindh government has always supported research projects, the development of laboratories, and the enhancement of academic activities. He expressed these views while addressing the 4th International conference on Advanced Materials and Process Engineering at NED University.

In his speech, Shah highlighted that the NED University, with its 100-year history, has established a global reputation. The event was attended by NED University Vice-Chancellor Dr Sarosh H. Lodi and representatives from various countries, including Iran and Turkey.

He expressed his pleasure at participating in the international conference, stating that NED alumni have played a significant role at both the national and international levels. He added that this conference serves as an excellent platform for promoting awareness and progress in the fields of materials and process engineering.

The research and papers presented at the conference will provide valuable insights for the participants. He emphasized that the presence of distinguished guests would foster new opportunities for collaboration between their institutions and the NED University.

He stressed the importance of encouraging researchers to explore innovative methods in their fields. He also emphasized the need to rely more on local industries and make full use of national resources.