• Roadmap aims to establish efficient and competitive gas market in Pakistan
• Finance minister says need to learn from global experiences to develop sector

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Finance and Revenue Muha­mmad Aurangzeb on Monday called for learning from international experiences for reforms in the gas sector to meet the challenges of circular debt, cross-subsidies, unaccounted-for-gas (UFG) losses and supply-demand imbalances.

He was chairing a high-level meeting to review the proposed restructuring and deregulation roadmap for Pakistan’s gas sector, focusing on financial sustainability, operational efficiency, consumer welfare and greater private-sector participation.

The meeting was attended by the federal minister for petroleum, the adviser to the prime minister on privatisation, the special assistant to the prime minister on energy, senior officials from the petroleum and finance divisions, representatives of gas utilities and the World Bank team. The FM emphasised the importance of aligning all stakeholders around a practical and implementable reform architecture.

The proposed framework draws on international experience, including gas-sector reforms in Turkiye and the United Kingdom, while taking into account Pakistan’s institutional structure, market conditions and consumer interests.

Participants also stressed the need for careful sequencing to safeguard security of supply, protect regulated consumers and create a predictable environment for private-sector participation.

The proposed framework will be presented to the PM, following which further technical work and stakeholder consultations will help refine the reform approach and support an orderly transition.

The proposed reforms aim to establish a financially sustainable, efficient and competitive gas market that supports businesses, encourages private investment and protects consumer welfare. The meeting discussed a phased transition towards greater competition, supported by effective regulation, improved operational performance and a more sustainable approach to gas pricing and supply.

Discussions focused on addressing legacy liabilities, improving the financial viability of gas utilities and ensuring that existing financial pressures do not undermine the proposed market structure or place an undue burden on consumers.

A sustainable resolution of legacy circular debt and a clear approach to address cross-subsidies were identified as important to the viability of restructured entities and the transition to a competitive market.

The meeting also discussed the expected outcomes of the reform framework, including enhanced energy security, increased private-sector investment, reduced fiscal and sovereign risks, greater business-to-business transactions, more stable and sustainable gas pricing, improved access to competitively priced gas for exporters, and lower system losses through stronger efficiency benchmarks and performance-based incentives.

The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing gas-sector reforms in a phased and consultative manner to strengthen financial sustainability, improve operational efficiency, attract investment and develop a more competitive gas market while safeguarding consumer interests.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026