In a recent announcement, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) refuted claims made in the media about a notified gas load-shedding schedule during afternoon hours in the country’s southern regions.
The gas company stated on Thursday that reports circulating in the media and on social media about the company notifying afternoon gas shutdowns were unfounded.
According to the statement, the issue with the gas supply in certain areas of Karachi was due to reduced pressure affecting the underground gas line pack. However, this issue was rectified by Wednesday at 6 pm.
The statement also highlighted that the country’s gas reserves experience a 10% annual reduction. This depletion has led to the SSGC receiving less gas, widening the gap between demand and supply, even during summer.
The company acknowledged that consumers might experience sudden drops in gas pressure due to these factors, as witnessed the previous day.
However, inhabitants of Gulistan-e-Jouhar, North Karachi, and other regions refuted the SSGC’s claims, stating that they had been facing gas load-shedding for several days.
Earlier this April, Musadik Malik, Minister of State for Petroleum, explained that a continual decline in gas reserves was a major factor preventing round-the-clock gas provision.
With Pakistan heavily depending on natural gas for its energy needs, load-shedding due to insufficient supply and increasing demand has become a regular ordeal for many parts of the nation.