Accepting the demand of All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA), the government on Wednesday reduced CNG prices by Re 0.72 per kg in Zone-I consisting of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa, Balochistan and Potohar region and Rs 0.38 per kg in Zone-II consisting of Punjab and Sindh.

According to a notification issued by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), CNG would be sold at Rs 73.58 per kg against previous rate of Rs 74.30 per kg in Zone-I and at Rs 69.24 against Rs 69.62 per kg in Zone II.

The government has reduced the Gas Infrastructure Development Surcharge (GIDS) from Rs 4.25 per kg to Rs 3.55 per kg in Zone-I, while in Zone-II it has been reduced from Rs 2.18 to Rs 1.82 per kg.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has reduced GIDS on the CNG sector by 50 percent owing to the countrywide public/transporters strikes.

"Downward adjustment in CNG consumer price has been necessitated owing to decrease in Gas Infrastructure Development Cess by the Federal Government.

These prices will stay in vogue till such time any further notification is issued," the notification said.

All Pakistan CNG Association on January 3 (Tuesday) after successful negotiations with the government called-off the strike that paralysed the routine life across the country.

The Government assured the association to reduce load-shedding by 8 hours, all CNG stations will open at night 10pm instead of opening at 6am.

The government has reduced the margin of cess on CNG sector by 50 percent, which would reduce the commodity price.

Restrictions of refuelling CNG in public/commercial transport vehicles has been waived off for one month, meanwhile new rules for safety and filling will be finalised and will be applied for future.

The Government has also assured to reopen all the sealed CNG Stations immediately.

Earlier, on December 30, 2011 the government fixed gas price for CNG sector in Zone-I at Rs 1070 per mmbtu and in Zone-II at Rs 950 per mmbtu, which in Zone-I has decreased by Rs 30 per mmbtu.

While in Zone II, the tariff has been increased by 22.26 percent from Rs 571.87 to Rs 699.20 mmbtu including cess of Rs 47.40 mmbtu.

The consumer price has been increased from Rs 63.11 to Rs 69.24 per kg.

The tariff for domestic consumers using up to 100 cubic meters will be increased from Rs 107.87 per mmbtu to 122.95 mmbtu.

This will increase Rs 448 per month bill by Rs 63 to Rs 511 per month.

Tariff for consumers using up to 300 units will jump from Rs 215.74 to Rs 245.89 mmbtu.

It will cause an increase of Rs 313 in the monthly bill of Rs 2240 to Rs 2553 per month.

Tariff of commercial consumers will be increased 14 percent from Rs 526.59 to Rs 600.19 per month.

Industrial sector tariff will be increased by 16.97 percent from Rs 434.17 to 507.86 mmbtu that will also include Rs 13 mmbtu as cess.

Power sector tariff of WAPDA and KESC will jump by 13.58 percent to Rs 507.86 from Rs 447.14 mmbtu, including cess of Rs 27 per mmbtu.

Tariff for IPPs will increase by 34.57 percent to Rs 507.86 from Rs 377.39 mmbtu including cess of Rs 70 mmbtu.

Cement sector tariff has been increased 14 percent from Rs 609.09 mmbtu to Rs 694.22 mmbtu, but no cess has been imposed as at present no gas supplies are given to the sector.

Tariff of feed-stock for old fertiliser plants will be jacked up by 207.10 percent from Rs 102.01 to Rs 313.27 mmbtu including a cess of Rs 197.

While for new fertiliser tariff has been increased only 1.81 percent from Rs 59.59 to Rs 60.67 mmbtu and no cess has been imposed.

Gas tariff for direct sales to WAPDA from Kandhkot to Guddu will increase 17.58 percent from Rs 431.94 to Rs 507.86 mmbtu including a cess of Rs 27.

Tariff from Sara and Mari to Guddu will increase 20.89 percent from Rs 420.09 to Rs 507.86 mmbtu including a cess of Rs 27 mmbtu.