Despite assurances from the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) of uninterrupted gas supply during Sehr and Iftar, Karachi residents continue to suffer from gas disruptions in various areas. Reports indicate that several localities including Saddar, Surjani Town, Garden, Nishtar Road, Punjab Town, Lyari, Agra Taj Colony, Khawaja Ajmer Nagri, Malir, and others are experiencing gas load-shedding during crucial fasting times.
SSGC’s spokesperson, Salman Ahmed, acknowledged the outages during Sehr and Iftar, attributing them to the simultaneous use of millions of stoves that reduce gas pressure. He cited the demand and supply gap as a reason for gas load management and noted that gas pressure issues are particularly prevalent at the tail-end of distribution lines.
While SSGC had initially announced no load-shedding during Ramadan’s Sehr and Iftar times, stating specific supply schedules, the reality on the ground has been different. According to the announced schedule, gas supply was supposed to remain suspended from 9 am to 3 pm and 10 pm to 3 am during Ramadan. However, these disruptions have persisted, causing inconvenience to residents relying on gas for cooking during fasting hours.
Salman Ahmed also highlighted that some consumers resort to “illegal” methods such as using compressors to draw gas, exacerbating the pressure issues and leading to further challenges in maintaining uninterrupted gas supply.
The ongoing gas outages in Karachi during crucial fasting times reflect a disconnect between official announcements and ground realities, underscoring the need for improved infrastructure and better management to address the city’s energy demands effectively.