Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an audit of gas companies as well as the Oil and Gas regulatory Authority in view of the rising gas prices in the country.

Handing out instructions to multiple departments, Shehbaz ordered that a forensic audit report on recent increase in gas prices should be completed and a report submitted to him in the next month.

He also ordered that a report on gas infrastructure and theft should be presented within three months. He has also asked for a plan to be prepared to resolve the circular debt in the oil and gas sectors within two weeks.

The prime minister has also ordered the constitution of an inter-ministerial commission to monitor the performance of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.

Shehbaz has also asked for administrative mismanagement to be scrutinised in the reports.

In addition, Shehbaz has also asked for a plan to use the surplus electricity being produced in the country in economic zones.

Meanwhile, OGRA is hearing SNGPL’s plea for yet another increase in gas prices.