KARACHI: A sudden cold snap in Karachi has brought gas shortages to the forefront, with households reporting low pressure in cooking stoves supplied by Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC). The dip in supply has forced many residents to postpone breakfast preparation and turn to costly LPG cylinders as an alternative.
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Citizens have resorted to lighting bonfires on streets and visiting soup shops to stay warm, while warm clothing stores have seen a surge in customers. Residents noted that such disruptions are a recurring issue every winter, compounding difficulties during cold weather.
SSGC acknowledged a shortfall of around 30 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) from one of its production fields due to an unexpected technical fault. This has reduced pipeline pressure in several city districts, prompting the utility to implement a government-approved load management plan prioritizing domestic use.
“To manage the shortage, fertilizer plants have been shut and weekly industrial closures enforced,” said a company spokesperson. She added that the field issue is expected to be resolved by early next week, after which gas supply should improve.
The spokesperson highlighted that over the past five years, gas supply has fallen from 1,156 mmcfd in 2018–19 to 660 mmcfd in 2025–26, widening the demand-supply gap. She noted that winter demand in Balochistan surged from 6,080 mmcfd to 170,180 mmcfd, forcing SSGC to deliver 180 mmcfd to keep households functioning in freezing conditions.
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Meanwhile, residents expressed frustration over the repeated shortages, saying that gas supply in winter remains unpredictable and unreliable, forcing them to rely on alternative heating and cooking methods.