ISLAMABAD: A bill proposing quarterly determination of natural gas prices was introduced in the Senate on Friday amid widespread criticism of the volatile fuel pricing mechanism.
The Ogra (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry. It seeks to insert a new Section 8A in the Ogra Ordinance, 2002, requiring natural gas licensees to submit their quarterly revenue requirements, limited to wellhead gas prices and the cost of imported gas, including regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG), to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).
Ogra will advise the federal government, which will have 30 days to notify minimum charges and sale prices for different categories of retail consumers.
The bill also empowers the government to carry forward all or part of a quarterly adjustment to the next biannual determination under Section 8. A controversial provision proposes dispensing with public hearings for price revisions under the new mechanism. The Statement of Objects and Reasons says the proposed changes aim to align tariffs with market realities, adjust for rupee-dollar parity, improve price signals, curb circular debt and ensure financial and operational stability in the gas supply chain. If passed, the law will come into force immediately.
PPP senators oppose shifting of PPL headquarters from Karachi to Islamabad
‘Will Karachi’s sea be shifted next?’
PPP Senator Waqar Mehdi opposed the proposed relocation of Pakistan Petroleum Limited’s (PPL) head office from Karachi to Islamabad, warning against a pattern of shifting federal institutions away from the city.
He said PPL had operated from the PIDC building since around 1951 and relocating its headquarters would cost billions, compared to the existing monthly rent of around Rs4 million. Around 500 employees from Sindh could face economic and family disruption, he added.
“From the federal government’s conduct, it seems tomorrow they will talk of shifting Karachi’s sea to Islamabad as well,” he remarked, demanding withdrawal of the decision.
PPP Senator Zamir Ghumro said oil and gas was a subject under the Council of Common Interests, questioning how the relocation could proceed without its consent.
Mr Chaudhry replied that PPL was a company whose board had repeatedly maintained that vacating the building had become inevitable. He rejected allegations of provincial discrimination, saying the company’s assets were spread across Sindh and Balochistan and no employees would be affected.
Railways vacancies, encroachments questioned
During the question hour, Mr Mehdi pointed out a contradiction in the government’s response on Pakistan Railways vacancies. While the federal minister claimed all vacant posts had been abolished, a written reply listed 22,546 vacancies across the four provinces.
He also questioned the government’s claims of zero tolerance for encroachments, identifying railway land beyond Orangi Station towards North Nazimabad, and around Gilani and University stations, as being occupied. He sought an explanation for the alleged construction of petrol pumps and commercial plazas on land reserved for railway operations.
Hazara Motorway condition criticised
On a calling attention notice, Senator Mohsin Aziz questioned the quality of the Hazara Motorway, saying Rs168 billion had been spent on the project but depressions were appearing at regular intervals. He called for accountability of the consultant and contractor, citing accidents and loss of lives.
Responding, Mr Chaudhry said the motorway was completed in 2018 and the contractor’s liability had expired after two years. Depressions were identified at seven locations in 2024, following which a study was conducted and Rs900m allocated for rehabilitation. Restoration work had started, he added.
Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2026
