‘No outage during Sehr, Iftar’: Govt assures uninterrupted electricity and gas in Ramazan

• Federal Ministers Ali Pervaiz Malik and Awais Leghari announce full utility supply during fasting hours

• Gas supply arranged from 3am to 10:30pm in Punjab; SSGC schedule set for Karachi and nearby areas

• Ministers say special control rooms and helplines (118 for electricity, 119 for gas) set up for immediate complaint resolution

• Saying SNGPL and SSGC to monitor regional supply, especially at tail ends, to prevent disruptions

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Power Minister Awais Leghari on Wednesday assured the nation that there will be “no electricity or gas loadshedding” during “Sehr and Iftar “throughout the holy month of Ramazan, saying the government has taken all possible measures to ensure “uninterrupted supply” across the country.

“We have decided that there will be absolutely no loadshedding in any area — barring any massive unforeseen fault — during the timings of Sehr and Iftar. Even economic loadshedding in areas with high-loss feeders will be restricted at these hours,” said Malik and Leghari during a joint press conference.

Leghari noted that it was Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s wish that those fasting are provided utility services in a proper and timely manner so they “do not face any issues.”

Meanwhile, Malik stated that “complete arrangements” had been made to ensure the supply of gas “with maximum pressure from 3am to 10:30pm, especially during Sehr and Iftar.”

Leghari affirmed that the government would ensure that “there is no suspension of electricity during these timings anywhere in Pakistan.” A special control room has been established at the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) to monitor all feeders and ensure smooth supply.

“You have the 118 helpline; please file a complaint if you face any issues. It will be addressed immediately,” the power minister said.

In his remarks, Malik added that the decision regarding no gas loadshedding was taken after consultations with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), so that the public could be provided with “as many facilities as possible.” “Additional volumes have been arranged,” he said.

For gas-related complaints, consumers can lodge a grievance on 119, the petroleum minister stated, noting that situation rooms have also been established at SNGPL and SSGC head offices. Regional offices have been instructed to monitor supply closely, particularly at the tail ends, he added.

Malik further noted that gas supply this winter has been better compared to previous years. “With all these efforts, the Power Division and Petroleum Division are striving to be a source of ease during the blessed month of Ramazan,” he said.

After the Ramazan moon was sighted in other parts of the world last night, Pakistan is expected to begin the holy month with the first fast on Thursday.

According to a supply schedule issued earlier for Karachi and nearby areas, SSGC said gas would be available from 3am to 9am for Sehr and 3:30pm to 10pm for Iftar, with supply temporarily suspended outside these hours to manage overall demand. Similarly, SNGPL proposed providing gas from 3am to 10:30pm daily across Punjab during the holy month.

On Tuesday, the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a resolution calling for no gas loadshedding during Sehr and Iftar. “We have already written to the federal government,” Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said.