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IMF condition: ECC set to green light gas tariff hike today

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1 year ago

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  • Tariff may go up by 173% for non-protected domestic consumers. 
  • Petroleum Division to push for implementation of hike from Oct 1. 
  • Circular debt to increase by Rs15bn if hike implemented from today.

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) will meet today (Monday) to green-light the plan to hike the gas tariff, a key part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions, including a zero hike in the gas circular debt for the ongoing financial year 2023-24, reported The News.

The government is likely to increase the local gas tariff up to 173% for non-protected domestic consumers, 136.4% for commercial, 86.4% for export and 117% for the non-export industry.

Since there is no budgeted subsidy for even domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors, the high-end consumers will provide cross-subsidies to low-end consumers.

The government’s failure to hike the gas prices from July 1 has forced it to incur a loss of Rs50 billion during the July-September in the gas sector. But the losses will be bridged when the government moves ahead with the increase in the gas tariff which would give enough monetary space to recover with the loss.

As per the publication, the IMF has been taken onboard on this point. It has been informed that the gas prices would be increased in such a manner that it would not increase the circular debt during this financial year, which right now stands at Rs2.9 trillion.

However, now the Petroleum Division will try to ensure that the gas tariff hike is implemented from October 1. If the government decides to implement the hike from today onwards then the circular debt would increase by Rs15 billion.

But there would be no increase in the gas tariff from January 1, 2024, a further gas tariff increase would be implemented as under the law, the review of gas prices is carried out bi-annually.

The cement sector will have to purchase the gas 193.3% higher than the current cost, making it the biggest bearer of the brunt, from 1,500 per MMBtu to Rs4,400 per MMBtu.

The CNG sector, will face the second-highest increase in gas tariff by 143.8% from Rs1,805 per MMBtu to Rs4,400.

If the hike is approved, then it means that cement prices will skyrocket and CNG will be much more expensive than petrol.

The government, however, does not plan on increasing the tariff for tandoors which would ensure that roti prices remain stable.

The summary prepared by the petroleum ministry that is to be pitched today in the ECC meeting shows it has not spared the four protected domestic consumer categories as ostensibly it has not proposed to increase their gas tariffs but hiked their monthly fixed charges from Rs10 to Rs400 per month.

More importantly, the Petroleum Division has also proposed to escalate the per month fixed charges for the first 4 non-protected domestic consumers by 117.4% to Rs1,000 from Rs460 per month from their gas tariffs increase by 50-150%. Also, to be increased are per month fixed charges for the remaining 4 non-protected domestic consumers, by 334.78%, to Rs2,000 from Rs460 per month part, increasing their gas tariff by 100%-173%.

The summary states that SNGPL will now offer a blend of natural gas and RLNG in a 20:80 ratio to non-export industry out of the estimated volumes for industrial consumers, both process and captive, as per petitions filed by SNGPL to OGRA for revenue determination.

The blend offered by the Sui companies shall be reviewed every quarter based on the availability of natural gas and RLNG. And SSGC shall offer a blend of NG and RLNG of 90:10 out of the estimated volumes for industrial consumers, both process and captive, as per petitions filed by SSGC to OGRA for revenue determination.

Coming to the export industry, the summary says that currently, there is a wide price disparity between the industry operating on SSGCL and SNGPL networks. Industry in the north (operating on the SNGPL network) consumes a 50:50 blend of indigenous and RLNG for 9 months (Mar to Nov) and 100% RLNG for 3 months (Dec-Feb), averaging to the current tariff of $9.6/MMBtu (Rs2,790) over the year.

On the other hand, process connections of the industry in the south (operating on SSGCL) are being charged at Rs1,100/MMBtu. SSGC has recently started a supply of blend in the proportion of 75:25 for captive use of gas, which approximates $5.9/MMBtu (Rs1,710).

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With the PSX at 115,000, investors profit while the sun is shining.

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11 hours ago

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Despite the numerous actions the government has taken in recent months, the nation’s economy is still growing.

The extraordinary rise in equities in recent years is evidence that the economic “turnaround” has given investors cause for optimism.

As market participants eagerly made investments, the KSE-100 index crossed the 115,000 level on Friday, the penultimate working day of the current week on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). The stocks gained strength on the 13th consecutive day, highlighting improvement in the country’s economy.

During early hours of trading, stocks climbed to 115,172 with a gain of 600 points.

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The figure jumped by a substantial 2,500 points to 113,374 points during Thursday’s session. The KSE-100 index closed at 114,180, up 3,370 points, after surpassing 114,000 points later in the day.

On Wednesday, stocks closed at 111,810.

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The market had a sharp bearish rise a few days ago, but it was short-lived as bullish momentum returned. The benchmark KSE-100 index gained more than 2,000 points and is currently sitting around 111,000. It was in opposition to the close of 108,896 points the day before.

CUT THE rating ON THE CARDS

The proverbial bulls have been galloping for the past month or so thanks to the financial infusion from the International Monetary Fund’s loan disbursement and more discussions on climate funding.

The impending policy rate cut meeting of the SBP is another factor contributing to the current market attitude. The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank is scheduled to convene on Monday, December 16.

On November 30, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) achieved a historic milestone by reaching a record-breaking high of 100,000 points following an unheard-of run of gains.

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ADB Adjusts Pakistan’s Economic Growth Forecast to 3% for 2024-25, Indicating Positive Economic Trajectory

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Pakistan’s economic growth is projected to be three percent in the fiscal year 2025, according to the Asian Development Bank’s revised prediction, which is an upward revision from the previous forecast.

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The PSX 100 index crosses 113,000 points, marking a historic milestone.

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1 day ago

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The historic 113,213-point milestone has been surpassed for the first time by the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), setting a new record.

The stock market experienced a spectacular start to the trading session, rising 1,400 points in just 30 minutes. At an all-time high of 112,277 points, the KSE-100 Index jumped 1,467 points.

With the index rising 1,200 points in just 15 minutes after the market began, the PSX had already reached another milestone. At 112,041 points, the KSE-100 Index had risen 1,231 points.

In another example of record-breaking performance, the PSX saw a 1,000-point spike in just 10 minutes. The KSE-100 Index rose 1,100 points to 111,911 points, regaining the 111,000-point milestone and hitting its highest level ever.

The PSX’s exceptional performance establishes it as a crucial gauge of economic optimism by highlighting robust investor confidence and substantial market momentum.

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