• Caretaker cabinet approves up to 3,900pc increase in fixed monthly charges, 194pc in consumer rates • New Haj policy approved; privatisation of Pakistan Steel Mills halted Rehan Ahmed ISLAMABAD: The caretaker cabinet on Monday approved a whopping increase of up to 3,900 per cent in the fixed monthly charges, and 194 per cent in the consumer rates for natural gas, which will open floodgates to a fresh bout of inflation. In effect, the average gas cost for protected consumer slabs (0.25hm3 to 0.9hm3) would jump by up to 300pc, in view of the cumulative impact of higher fixed charges, while their annual bill is estimated to rise by up to 150 per cent. “The federal government… approved increase in the price of natural gas for different categories of the consumers as advised by the Ogra with effect from November 1, 2023,” said a summary issued by the petroleum division after the cabinet meeting. According to the statement, the cabinet referred the s...