The prices of compressed natural gas (CNG) have been increased by upto Rs 1.06 per kg, said a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). According to the notification, CNG prices in Zone-I, consisting of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (KPK), Potohar, and Balochistan increased by Rs 1.06 per kg. In zone-11, which consists of parts of the Punjab and entire Sindh province, prices of CNG would increase by Rs 0.75 per kg.
After the current increase in CNG prices the commodity would be sold at Rs 75.35 per kg against Rs 74.29 in Zone-I and Rs 70.15 per kg in Zone-11 against Rs 69.60 per kg. According to sources, in Ogra the authority has notified the CNG prices after approval by Petroleum Ministry, which recommended the government for imposition of ''petroleum levy'' on owner of CNG filling stations.
"Now the government has decided to shift the burden of levy on CNG consumers and Ogra has notified new prices" the official added. As per plan of Petroleum Ministry, the surcharges would be utilised for laying of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) pipeline from Karachi to Lahore.