• Additional burden on consumers to be offset by disbursement through BISP
• Committee approves supplementary grants worth Rs856bn; passes the buck on sugar import to minister-led body

ISLAMABAD: The government has increased the price of gas by 50 per cent in an apparent move to meet the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet approved the hike in fixed gas charges for all consumers from July 1.

The rate for non-domestic consumers has been increased by 29pc to cumulatively raise an additional Rs72 billion.

The ECC meeting on Friday, chaired by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, also approved supplementary grants of Rs856bn.

However, the committee failed to reach a decision over the import of sugar and passed the responsibility to a political committee led by the National Food Security and Research minister.

Increase in gas price

The summary for the revised natural gas pricing structure for the fiscal year 2025–26 was moved by the Petroleum Division.

The ministry sought app­roval for up to 56pc increase in gas rates for protected domestic consumers and 37pc increase in fixed charges.

The additional burden on consumers was to be offset by disbursing the amount —saved due to the removal of subsidy — through........

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