Pakistan approves gas sector deregulation roadmap

The Pakistani government has finalized a roadmap to deregulate the country's gas sector with technical assistance from the World Bank. The plan calls for unbundling the state‑owned Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited into separate transmission, distribution and energy businesses, redesigning the gas subsidy system and moving toward a market‑clearing price for natural gas.

The reforms also aim to strengthen the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and attract private investment, improving financial sustainability and price transparency. The roadmap will be submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approval before phased implementation begins.