A permanent ban has been imposed on new connections using locally produced gas, and instructions have been issued to cancel three million applications already received.

The Petroleum Division has sent the cabinet-approved framework to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), under which the ban on new connections using local gas has been formally imposed.

SSGC and SNGPL have been directed to cancel all three million applications already received for new local gas connections.

However, a new framework has been introduced for connections using imported gas, based on 9 specific conditions.

Under this framework, 50% of new consumers per year can be provided gas connections under the urgent fee category.

Consumers who pay the urgent fee will receive a new connection using imported gas within 3 months.

Households whose gas supply has been disconnected for over a year will also be given connections using imported gas.

The tariff for imported gas connections will be 70% higher than that of locally produced gas.