Zubair Motiwala, Chairman of the Businessmen Group, has urged the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to reject Sui Southern Gas Company’s (SSGC) Estimated Revenue Requirement (ERR) petition for FY 2026-27, stating that further gas tariff increases would cripple industries and harm exports, jeopardizing Pakistan’s economy.

During a public hearing, Motiwala called for a review of the tariff structure, arguing that efficient industries shouldn’t subsidize domestic consumers and inefficient sectors. He proposed dividing SSGC into two entities to better manage industrial consumers separately, potentially leading to more sustainable pricing.

He questioned the substantial increase in projected electricity costs and criticized SSGC’s assumptions about the exchange rate, suggesting that SSGC inflated its revenue requirements. Motiwala highlighted that Pakistan’s industrial gas prices are uncompetitive internationally, putting exporters at a disadvantage.

He noted a significant decline in industrial gas consumption due to rising tariffs, leading many to switch to alternative fuels. He expressed concern about cross-subsidization policies that unfairly burden efficient industries and noted that operational inefficiencies remain unaddressed. Motiwala opposed the recovery of previously disallowed amounts, warning it could undermine regulatory credibility.