Jamaat-e-Islami has strongly rejected the proposed 54% increase in gas prices, describing it as unjust and an additional burden of Rs140 billion on citizens. Speaking on behalf of Karachi’s residents during a public hearing at the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) head office, Jamaat-e-Islami representative Imran Shahid criticized the price hike request. He pointed out that gas prices have already surged over 400% in the past 23 months, driving inflation and deepening financial difficulties for the public.
The public hearing, led by OGRA Chairman Masroor Khan via an online session from Islamabad, saw representatives from industry associations and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce in attendance. Imran Shahid, representing Karachi’s citizens, argued that the SSGC’s proposal should be rejected, as constant increases in gas and electricity rates have severely impacted the cost of living, leading to a rise in unemployment as industries face closures.
He emphasized that the proposed increase would harm local industries’ export competitiveness, shrinking Pakistan’s exports and negatively impacting the national economy. According to Shahid, the energy sector’s inefficiency and mismanagement, along with rising circular debt, are being unfairly transferred onto the public.
He highlighted that instead of addressing line losses and leakages, SSGC is resorting to load-shedding. Jamaat-e-Islami has called on OGRA to reject the proposed hike and adhere to Article 158 of the Constitution by ensuring that Karachi, as Sindh’s capital and Pakistan’s economic hub, receives adequate gas supply to meet its industrial and domestic needs. Jamaat-e-Islami supports Karachi’s industrialists and traders in their stance against this increase.
