Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik has instructed Sui gas companies to take urgent measures to reduce gas shortages affecting household consumers during the ongoing winter season.

The minister gave these directives while chairing a high-level meeting with senior officials from Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) on Thursday to assess the country’s gas supply situation.

Malik emphasized that providing relief to domestic consumers remains the government’s top priority and urged gas utilities to maximize supply to households while closely monitoring demand trends. He also directed officials to submit weekly reports on gas demand and supply to the Petroleum Division, supported by daily operational monitoring. Currently, detailed daily reports are submitted at 10:00 am, covering supply conditions of the previous 24 hours to facilitate timely decisions.

During the briefing, SNGPL’s managing director reported that gas availability increased from 691 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) to 746 MMCFD since January 6. Output from the Shiva gas field rose from 55 to 65 MMCFD, easing pressure on the distribution network.

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The managing director of SSGC added that domestic gas supply improved following the restoration of two gas fields, delivering an additional 39 MMCFD compared to the same period last year. Consultations are ongoing to increase weekly industrial gas shutdowns from one day to two days to prioritize household supply. Malik also directed officials to explore diverting additional industrial gas to domestic consumers during peak winter demand.

The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted gas supply for households and minimizing hardships during the cold winter months.