Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has unveiled a new gas load-shedding schedule in Punjab and KP, advising households to plan their meals around supply hours.
The updated schedule comes as demand spikes during the colder months.
According to SNGPL officials, gas will now be supplied intermittently in three daily slots: from 5:30am to 8:30am, 11:30am to 1:30pm, and 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Authorities urged households to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner during these windows to avoid inconvenience.
Officials stressed that no load-shedding is being carried out for the industrial sector, highlighting that while winter demand has increased significantly, gas remains available in the system. They also reminded consumers that gas is costly and should be used judiciously.
The announcement aligns with recent federal directives on winter gas management. On November 24, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik chaired a meeting on seasonal gas supply, instructing utilities to ensure uninterrupted service for domestic consumers. The meeting, attended by officials from SNGPL, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), the Petroleum Division, and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), reviewed gas availability and the ongoing rollout of RLNG domestic connections.
Malik praised the improved domestic supply, noting that it is “significantly better” than last winter. SNGPL’s managing director added that gas is now being delivered to homes not only during mealtimes but in extended periods from 5am to 10pm, prioritizing public convenience.
Gas load-shedding has long been a social and political concern in Pakistan. The country holds just 0.4% of global gas reserves but consumes 1.1% of the world’s gas, according to Worldometer. Household users claim around 50% of available gas, followed by fertilizer plants, independent power producers, and industrial and CNG sectors.
Last month, the federal government resumed the issuance of RLNG domestic connections, ending a four-year pause. The ban, imposed in 2021 due to declining reserves, had pushed households toward more expensive alternatives like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking and heating.
