The city of Karachi is currently grappling with severe disruptions due to unannounced gas outages, leading to difficulties for residents. These outages have notably affected essential meal preparation hours, leading to widespread public discontent and political reactions. Reports from local media indicate that the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has been unable to honour its commitment to provide a continuous gas supply from early morning at 6 am until night at 10:30 pm.

Over the past fortnight, there has been an increasing number of unanticipated gas shortages, which have compelled many households to look for alternative cooking methods. As a result, restaurants and food vendors across the city have seen a significant rise in patronage, with long queues forming for staple food items like roti and naan. Many families, particularly women, have expressed that these shortages have made meal preparation exceedingly difficult.

Students preparing for their examinations have also been negatively impacted, as the ongoing gas shortages compound existing stresses related to power outages and water supply issues in multiple neighbourhoods. The scarcity of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has further exacerbated the situation, leaving residents with limited options to cook meals or obtain hot food.

Long Queues at LPG Stations

The struggle for alternative cooking sources is evident, with crowds gathering at LPG stations and shops throughout the city. Reports indicate that refilling LPG can take considerable time, leading to frustration among those waiting. In some locations, LPG supplies have reportedly run out entirely, indicating severe shortages. One resident from Sultanabad, Muhammad Akhtar, shared his recent experience of waiting for over half an hour at an LPG shop, only to be informed of delays in supply.

Akhtar expressed his frustration, questioning the ability of the gas utility to manage its schedules effectively. “It’s discouraging. Can’t the gas utility manage their schedules properly so we can prepare ourselves?” he lamented. This sentiment has echoed throughout social media platforms, where residents have expressed their grievances against the SSGC’s failure to provide reliable gas supplies.

In response to the ongoing crisis, the SSGC issued a statement, asserting that gas supply was being maintained adequately during meal times. The company claimed that the overall line packs in the system were healthy and that gas pressures were within optimal limits. The utility stated that, despite a shortage of regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG), it was prioritising gas distribution for power generation and agricultural needs, while trying to balance the available resources to meet various sectors’ requirements.

Political Reactions Intensify

The situation has prompted strong reactions from several political parties, who have publicly condemned the utility’s inability to provide a consistent supply of gas. Ali Khurshidi, opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly representing the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, stated that the gas utility’s failures are exacerbating the hardships faced by a population already struggling with inflation. He noted that the persistent issues reflect poorly on the efficiency of the SSGC.

Fauzia Siddiqui, Information Secretary for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Karachi Division, expressed her discontent regarding the increasing frequency of gas load-shedding, rising utility bills, and continued shortages of electricity and water. She characterised these issues as clear indicators of the Sindh government’s failure, stating that Karachi, which contributes nearly 65 per cent of the country’s revenue, remains deprived of basic necessities.

Siddiqui demanded immediate action to restore reliable supplies of gas, water, and electricity, along with urgent infrastructure improvements to address the citizens’ ongoing struggles. The situation remains critical as residents continue to navigate these challenges amid a stark shortage of essential utilities in Karachi.

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