From electricity shortage to gas shortfall, the country is heading towards winter season. The gas distribution company, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) stated on Monday that it will supply 100,000 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders in anticipation of a gas scarcity this winter.
SNGPL stated in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) that due to a potential gas shortage in the upcoming winter, the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) has advised to explore all available options to address consumers’ energy demands, including supplying LPG cylinders.
SNGPL stated that the projected first investment for the project of distributing 100,000 LPG cylinders is up to Rs1,200 million.
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Previously, trade bodies such as the Businessmen Group (BMG) and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to call an emergency meeting to thoroughly discuss the overall gas demand/supply situation, as well as to explore ways and means of efficiently dealing with gas shortages during this year’s winter season.
According to the letter, the winter season this year is likely to be harsher due to the aftereffects of climate change, necessitating an unprecedented plan of action to deal with the anticipated gas issue, but no actions have been made so far.
As stated by the bodies, there was a consistent supply shortfall of gas in the year 2021 when the general industries of Karachi faced around 12 hours of load shedding from January 1st, 2021, to December 2021, and the gas supply during the last three months, namely October, November, and December, was dreadful.
In Pakistan, gas shortages have become a major problem, with the situation deteriorating significantly during the winter months as demand for heating rises, affecting households as well as industries. In summer, electricity shortage and skyrocketed bills have caused major disruptions for the business community and overburdened the households.