SSGC cuts off gas supply to industries in Karachi

• SSGC says gas will be suspended from Nov 15, 2022, to Feb 28, 2023.
• It says domestic and commercial customers on top of priority list.
• Company says decision taken in line with gas load management plan.

KARACHI: The gas crisis seems to have worsened in Karachi as the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) halted gas supply to industries across the city, The News reported Monday. 

“In adherence to the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) gas load management plan, that places domestic and commercial customers on top of the priority list, it has been decided to suspend gas supply to all general industries from November 15 to February 28, 2023,” a statement issued by the gas company read.

The statement further read that the decision aims at meeting the increasing demand of domestic customers in Sindh and Balochistan. 

It should also be noted that all (compressed natural gas) CNG stations in Sindh have already been shut down for two-and-half months due to gas shortage.

Last week, the SSGC sent gas closure notices for over three months in winter to industries in the city, which they rejected saying that gas outages would lead to massive layoffs and the closure of businesses. 

“The industries are in a state of shock to receive SSGCL’s notices of gas closure starting from November 15, 2022, to February 28, 2023,” the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and seven other industrial town associations said in a joint statement.

“The gas closures can not be proved good for the economy, especially this year, as no special arrangements have been made by the government to purchase RLNG to inject in the system.”

The committee, formed by KCCI, said it was expecting appropriate measures from the government to ensure gas supply to the city’s industries, instead of complete gas outages, which would lead to a huge decline in exports and revenue, closure of industries, and layoffs.

According to KCCI, their committee had given an idea to the government of closing down the gas supply for two days a week in winter for every 12 hours.