KARACHI, Oct 27: Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) sold 75,242 mmcfd of gas during July-September 2003 as compared to 61,197 mmcfd in the same period of 2002, showing a rise of 23 per cent. Sales revenue recorded a rise of 30 per cent to Rs3.010 million from Rs9.971 million.

The SSGC board of directors on Monday approved the unaudited accounts for the first quarter ending on September 30, in a meeting held under its chairman Aitzaz Shahbaz.

The company’s pre-tax profit, however, remained unchanged as of Rs471 million as compared to the figures of the corresponding period of the previous year. This was due to increase in the cost of gas purchase by the company. The earning per share also remained stable at Rs0.46, says a press release.

The board was informed that the company had made elaborate arrangements to maintain full pressure and uninterrupted supply of gas during Ramazan. The company had deployed additional call service teams to ensure regular supply of gas.

The board was also informed that the company’s ongoing capital expansion plan would improve the gas supply to the power and industrial customers.