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Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) is considering a one-day suspension of gas supply to industrial consumers this Saturday as part of efforts to ease persistent gas shortages faced by domestic users in Karachi. The move comes after SSGC recorded a partial improvement in supply following the restoration of gas from several wells.
According to SSGC officials, gas availability in Karachi has improved by around 25 to 30 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) after production resumed at certain wells. Despite this recovery, household consumers across multiple areas of the city have continued to face low pressure and supply disruptions over the past few days.
An SSGC official said, “Domestic gas demand increases sharply during winter due to heating needs, which puts immense pressure on the existing supply network.” The official added that temporary curbs on industrial usage are being reviewed to ensure uninterrupted supply for homes.
Gas shortages typically intensify during the winter season as consumption for heating rises, especially in urban centers like Karachi. To avoid burdening consumers further, the federal government earlier decided not to revise gas tariffs for the next six months, providing some relief to households amid inflationary pressures.
However, energy costs remain a concern as the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) recently increased LPG prices by Rs10.68 per kilogram, raising the new rate to Rs219.67 per kilogram, which may push more consumers back toward natural gas usage.
If approved, the proposed shutdown would apply only for one day and is aimed at balancing supply during peak demand hours. Industries are often asked to curtail usage during shortages as domestic supply is prioritized under national gas allocation policies.
