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ISLAMABAD, Jan 19 (APP):The federal government on Monday assured the National Assembly that domestic consumers would receive uninterrupted gas supply during the winter season, in response to a question raised by MNA Asiya Naz Tanoli during the Question Hour.
Replying to the query, Minister for Energy (Petroleum Division) Ali Pervaiz Malik said the Sui gas companies would ensure gas supply from 5am to 10pm with optimum pressure during cooking hours.
He added that a complaint resolution mechanism and monitoring dashboard were in place to address consumers’ grievances.
The minister told the House that the prime minister had directed the authorities to give top priority to the domestic sector during winter.
He said that in November last year, 470 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) gas was supplied to households, which had been increased to 526 MMCFD this year.
Similarly, December supply had been raised from 680 MMCFD last year to around 780 MMCFD this year.
“In January, when winter is at its peak, last year around 800 MMCFD gas was being supplied to the domestic sector. This year, it has been increased to more than 990 MMCFD,” he said.
Malik also said that around 12 LNG cargoes would arrive in January from different countries to ensure smooth supply during peak winter.
He added that although LNG was available in sufficient quantity, rationalisation would be carried out during the summer months according to demand.
However, members from the opposition benches strongly contested the government’s claims.
MNA Alia Kamran said Quetta faced gas shortages even in summer months, adding that the provincial capital was currently facing severe low pressure and up to 12 hours of load-shedding daily.
Responding to her concerns, Malik said Balochistan was being supplied more gas than its local production and asked members to point out specific problem areas so that they could be addressed.
PML-N’s Samina Khalid Ghurki said that even Lahore was now facing severe gas pressure issues. “We have reached a point where we are buying food from outside daily. Our geysers and heaters are running on electricity because there is no gas pressure,” she said.
The minister said every complaint was registered, tagged and tracked, and said that the number of complaints had decreased.
He invited members to provide billing details of affected areas so that teams could be sent to resolve the issues.
PPP’s Sharmila Farooqi said Karachi, the country’s largest metropolis, was facing widespread gas shortages, particularly in areas like Lyari, Orangi Town and Jahangir Road. “First we were told there were technical issues in two gas fields. Then we were told 35 MMCFD supply was missing. Karachi needs gas,” she said.
Malik reiterated that domestic gas supply had increased from around 800 MMCFD last year to nearly 1,000 MMCFD this year and assured the House that complaints from Karachi would be addressed if specific details were provided.
PPP MNA, Shagufta Jumani, said both Karachi and Hyderabad faced gas outages in the mornings and after 9pm, with no clear schedule. “People are forced to use cylinders, and due to poor LNG quality, explosions are occurring, causing deaths and injuries,” she said.
In reply, Malik said complaints should be registered through Sui Gas helplines and promised to personally follow up on unresolved cases. “Despite increasing supply, if problems persist in specific areas, we will try to resolve them,” he assured the House.