Industrialists Reject Additional RLNG Bills, Warn of Factory Shutdowns
LAHORE — Tensions are rising between industrialists and the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) after businesses received hefty bills covering additional RLNG charges for the period 2015–2022.
Industry representatives argue they have already cleared all dues for those years and cannot be forced to pay again. They described the new bills as nearly 200 percent higher than their usual amounts, with SNGPL giving them just two days to settle payments.
“We have already paid our gas bills from 2015 to 2022. Demanding extra payments after a decade is unacceptable,” said one industry leader, urging the government to step in before the situation escalates.
Officials at SNGPL, however, defended the move, saying the extra charges are being recovered under the directives of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). They stressed that SNGPL only implements pricing and policy decisions, which are determined by the regulator.
The dispute has sparked concern across the industrial sector, with fears that production may come to a standstill if the government does not intervene.
SNGPL Issues Final Notices to Public Sector Defaulters
The controversy comes as SNGPL continues its crackdown on unpaid bills. The company recently served final notices to several public sector organizations and departments over long-standing gas dues, warning of legal or administrative action.
Among the biggest defaulters are government hospitals, which collectively owe Rs. 1.4125 billion. Federal Government hospitals owe Rs. 183.62 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) hospitals owe Rs. 106.08 million, and Punjab Government hospitals owe a staggering Rs. 1.1228 billion.
Police departments have also defaulted on payments, with outstanding dues amounting to Rs. 499.7 million. This includes Rs. 141.5 million from the Federal Police, Rs. 63.13 million from KPK Police, and Rs. 295.04 million from Punjab Police.
The standoff between industry and SNGPL, coupled with mounting unpaid dues from public institutions, highlights the growing financial strain in the country’s gas sector.
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