LAHORE: The textile industry on Monday criticised the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for issuing bills at full re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) tariff in violation of the government’s instructions.

“The SNGPL has issued gas bills at full RLNG tariff for the month of June, 2019 at Rs1,798.32/mmBtu. This is a clear violation of the Ministry of Finance office memorandum under which the company has been advised to apply average exchange rate of the whole month,” All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) Chairman Syed Ali Ahsan said at a press conference.

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had announced in its meeting dated Sept 27, 2018 a regionally competitive gas tariff for the five zero-rated sectors at $ 6.5/mmBtu with effect from Oct 16, 2018 and accorded second priority to five zero-rated sectors in Gas Allocation and Management Policy.

The Lahore High Court, vide its order of May 2, 2019, had directed SNGPL to issue gas bills on 10th of every month after receipt of subsidy from government.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2019