ISLAMABAD - The state-owned Sui gas companies are set to add approximately 708,245 new customers across Pakistan in the upcoming fiscal year 2026-2027, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. The survey also revealed that total consumption of petroleum products registered a growth of 3.5 percent year-on-year during the first nine months (July-March) of the ongoing FY2026, reaching 13.64 million metric tonnes (MMT) compared to 13.17 MMT during the same period of FY2025.
Transport Sector Leads Growth
The transport sector, which remains the dominant consumer, recorded a 6.7 percent increase in consumption, rising from 10.55 MMT in July-March FY2025 to 11.25 MMT (82.5 percent of total demand) in the same period of FY2026. In contrast, the industrial sector saw a substantial decline of 42.6 percent, with consumption dropping from 754.6 thousand metric tonnes (MT) to 433.5 thousand MT (3.2 percent of total demand).
Power Sector and Other Declines
A significant decline of 15 percent was recorded in the power sector's petroleum usage, which fell to 98.7 thousand MT during July-March FY2026. This drop reflects the shift toward hydropower, nuclear and coal (particularly Thar coal), reducing the reliance on furnace oil-based generation. The domestic sector also saw a substantial decline of 51.4 percent, while the agriculture sector's consumption experienced a huge decline of 61.7 percent, likely due to improved mechanization and rapid adoption of solar-powered tube wells and government-driven electrification projects. Meanwhile, the government sector posted a decline of 6.3 percent in petroleum usage.
Overseas Sector Surge
The overseas sector (which includes bunker sales and other exports) experienced a moderate surge of 8.9 percent, increasing from 1,490.11 thousand MT in July-March FY2025 to 1,622 thousand MT in the corresponding period of FY2026. This sharp rise is largely driven by enhanced shipping activity and increased refueling demands at Pakistani ports.
Petroleum Imports Rise
Pakistan imported a total of 13.88 MMT of petroleum products, up from 12.53 MMT in the same period of FY2025, representing a 10.8 percent increase in quantity. However, the total import bill in value terms increased to $8.9 billion from $8.4 billion in July-March FY2025, reflecting a combination of higher import volumes as well as unstable international oil prices.
Motor Spirit and HOBC Trends
The import of Motor Spirit (MS) increased by 2.3 percent in volume to 4.07 MMT, though the import value declined by 2.4 percent to $2.96 billion, compared to $3.03 billion in the corresponding period of last year. This divergence points to a favorable shift in global prices in the first and second quarters of FY2026 despite rising demand from the transport sector. A sharp surge was observed in HOBC imports, rising from 144.44 thousand MT to 187.48 thousand MT, with the import value increasing from $108.4 million to $138.3 million, indicating rising demand for premium fuels, possibly due to an expanding high-end vehicle segment.
HSD and Crude Oil Imports
Imports of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) declined from 1,447.54 thousand MT to 1,069.80 thousand MT, marking a 26.1 percent decrease in volume. The value also significantly declined to $0.74 billion, reflecting unstable pricing in global markets. Imports of crude oil rose from 6,763.12 thousand MT to 8,448.79 thousand MT, registering a 24.9 percent increase in volume, while the value increased by 21.9 percent, from $4.1 billion to $5.0 billion, owing to increasing domestic economic activities. A marginal quantity of 100/LL aviation gasoline (0.24 thousand MT) was also imported during July-March FY2026. Jet fuel (JP-1) import also reduced, decreasing from 195.67 thousand MT to 108.71 thousand MT, with the import value decreasing to $75.8 million.
Gas Sector Developments
Regarding the gas sector, the survey said that the average natural gas consumption was about 2,929 Million Cubic Feet per day (MMCFD) including 613 MMCFD volume of RLNG during July 2025 to March 2026. The two gas utility companies (SNGPL & SSGC) have laid 729-km mains and 403-km services lines and connected 95 villages/towns to the gas network during July 2025 to March 2026. During this period, 149,908 additional gas connections including 148,225 domestic, 1,578 commercial and 105 industrial were provided across the country. It is expected that gas will be supplied to approximately 708,245 new consumers during FY2027. Gas utility companies have planned to invest Rs4,491 million on transmission projects, Rs 87,457 million on distribution projects and Rs 10,810 million on other projects, bringing the total investment to Rs 102,758 million during FY2027.
LPG and Coal Consumption
The total supply of LPG during July-March FY2026 was approximately 1,965,498 metric tonnes, the survey maintained. Currently, there are 11 LPG producers and 382 LPG marketing companies operating in the country, with around 6,200 authorized distributors. Regarding coal, the survey revealed that the power sector's coal consumption remained at about 59.6 percent (12,758.30 thousand metric tonnes), whereas the brick kilns sector accounted for 20.8 percent (4,451.90 thousand metric tonnes). On the other hand, the cement and other industries sector consumes 19.6 percent (4,200.00 thousand metric tonnes).
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