ISLAMABAD: Gas charges rose 1,108.59% overall in the week leading up to November compared to last year, The News reported on Saturday citing an official from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Lower Quintile charges based on the Sensitive Price Index (SPI) saw a 1,108.59% increase in prices for the week ended November 24.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Energy claims that gas prices have risen by an average of 65% since November 2023, So somewhere there is something fundamentally wrong which results in a huge difference in the calculation on both sides.
Top official sources confirmed to The News that the Ministry of Energy had raised the issue with PBS and that it was used to calculate such a large increase Discovered about the procedure.
At last week’s SPI, the bureau reported 480% for the latest week compared to the same week last year% Gas charges were calculated for the lowest quintile in the range. Top officials from the Ministry of Energy and PBS met but failed to agree on a workable solution agreed upon by both sides.
The ministry held that there are two categories, safe and insecure, and about 57% Among consumers where they belonged to the category of secure consumers there was no increase in prices. Top officials inquired about the procedure and asked PBS to report to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
It was also questioned whether PBS had taken over the Ministry of Energy or OGRA or the method of pricing data a few years ago Got no confirmation at the time of change.
“We have requested a confirmation letter from PBS but it was argued that there was a set procedure which could not be changed according to international standards،” Sources said.
Another official commented that PBS had shown falling electricity prices in August 2023, when the whole country was making noise on inflated bills. The reasons for the rate need to be ascertained but also there are clear episodes that tarnish the image of official statistics.
Now senior PBS officials have argued that the Ministry of Energy has increased the fixed charges for all categories, including those of safe consumers Come into the category and 18% GST was also charged. So far the fixed charges on the bill have increased from Rs. 121 to Rs. 1400 for low quintile customers so the average cost of consumers has been accurately calculated. He added that there was nothing wrong with calculating the cost of gas charges for low quintile.
PBS will now release Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on December 1, 2023, based on trends and other macroeconomic indicators, The SBP’s Monetary Policy Committee will decide the policy rate at its scheduled meeting on December 12. The current policy rate is 22.
Independent experts say that more transparency is needed for the authenticity of official data, so that gas and electricity procedures and calculations are streamlined Should.
