Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer, President of the Lahore Chapter of the Pakistan Business Forum (PBF), has strongly criticised Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for issuing gas bills with retrospective effect, burdening industrial consumers with enormous and unjust demands. According to reports from multiple industrial units, SNGPL has issued bills demanding payment of “retrospective LNG rate differences” for the last four years. The amounts range from a few million to several crore rupees per factory, placing an unbearable financial strain on the business community. “This move is nothing short of pure harassment,” said Muhammad Ejaz Tanveer. “No business can be expected to bear such massive backdated liabilities without prior notice or justification. This arbitrary action will cripple industries, destroy investor confidence, and directly impact employment.” He further stated that the Pakistan Business Forum considers this issue a collective challenge for the industrial sector and urged members of the Ferozepur Road Industry Association (FRIA) and other trade bodies to stand united. Ejaz hinted at going to the court against this unlawful and unjustified demand of the SNGPL. “Together, we can challenge this in the courts and ensure such retroactive exploitation is stopped immediately,” he said. The Pakistan Business Forum is calling on the government and regulatory bodies to intervene, withdraw the retrospective billing, and direct SNGPL to adopt fair, transparent, and lawful billing practices that support industrial growth rather than strangling it.
