Govt steps in to address gas shortfall during cold wave

January 15, 2026 (MLN):  The government has taken serious notice of the gas supply challenges being faced by domestic consumers amid severe cold weather.

Emphasizing that relief for households remains its top priority, the government has directed relevant authorities to take immediate and effective steps to ensure uninterrupted gas supply during the peak winter season, according to a press release issued.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to review the gas supply situation and assess measures being taken to manage rising demand.

To strengthen oversight and enable swift decision-making, the minister instructed that weekly reports on gas demand and supply be submitted to the Petroleum Division, backed by daily operational monitoring.

Briefing the meeting, the Managing Director of SNGPL said gas supply has been increased from 691 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) to 746 MMCFD since January 6.

He added that production from the Shiva gas field has been raised from 55 MMCFD to 65 MMCFD, contributing to improved availability.

The minister directed that all possible options be explored to further ease pressure on domestic consumers, including diverting additional gas from the industrial sector to households where feasible during the critical winter period.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of SSGC informed the meeting that the supply situation has improved following the restoration of production from two gas fields.

He said an additional 39 MMCFD of gas is being supplied to domestic consumers compared to the same period last year.

He also shared that consultations are underway with industrial stakeholders on the possibility of increasing weekly gas shutdowns for industry from one day to two days to prioritize household consumption.

The minister reiterated that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to take decisive, consumer-focused measures to ensure stability in gas supply throughout the winter season.

Copyright Mettis Link News