KARACHI: After the recent increase in gas prices, the monthly charge for a gas meter has increased significantly, it emerged Wednesday. According to a notification issued by Sui Northern, the gas meter fee has been raised from Rs40 to Rs500 per month, which means customers will have to pay a minimum bill of Rs500 per month, even if they do not use gas. This increase will come into effect from January 2023. As per the notification, customers will also have to pay additional charges for three months of arrears, meter rent, and gas tariff. Sui Northern has started adding this amount to customers’ gas bills every month.

In response, a spokesperson for Sui Northern Gas Company stated that this decision was implemented in accordance with Ogra’s decision. However, this increase will not apply to customers with gas bills less than 0.9 cubic hectare in November and December. The spokesperson also stated that customers with low gas consumption will be satisfied with the meter rent. In other news, the Central Power Purchasing Agency has submitted a request to NEPRA to raise the price of electricity due to the March fuel price adjustment. The request seeks to increase the price of electricity by Rs1.17 for discos consumers, and it will be heard by NEPRA on May 3.