The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced a winter schedule that will cut gas supply to domestic consumers in Sindh every night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., citing a sharp drop in available gas reserves. The utility said the decision is part of a seasonal adjustment plan designed to manage the worsening energy shortfall.

Decision Based on ECC Load-Management Framework

According to an SSGC spokesperson, the revised schedule follows the load-management framework approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). She said the company had not initially planned any gas load-shedding for households in Sindh or Balochistan, but the “severe and unexpected decline” in supply has forced nightly shutdowns.

Night Shutdown Needed to Restore Line-Pack Pressure

The spokesperson explained that suspending supply at night will allow the company to rebuild line-pack pressure for the following morning, when domestic usage peaks across major cities. She said this measure is necessary to ensure that households can still access gas during cooking hours and daytime needs.

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CNG Sector Also Faces Weekly Closures

The winter shortage will also affect the compressed natural gas (CNG) sector. Under the new conservation plan, CNG stations will face periodic weekly closures aimed at saving gas for priority domestic consumers.

Officials Warn of Rising Winter Demand

SSGC officials warned that gas demand typically skyrockets during the winter months, while local production continues to decline. They urged consumers to use gas carefully and avoid waste as the company works to stabilise supply.

Public Concerns Over Winter Hardships

The new schedule has sparked concern among residents, who fear that the nightly shutdown will worsen hardships during the colder months.