Karachi residents face unannounced gas cuts amid worsening crisis during Ramazan

KARACHI: Residents across Karachi are grappling with severe gas shortages as unannounced supply cuts continue to disrupt daily life, particularly during the critical Sehri and Iftar hours of Ramazan.

The crisis has intensified following the suspension of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Qatar, a development linked to Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, the city has experienced a sharp decline in gas availability, leaving many fasting households struggling to prepare meals at dawn and dusk.

According to a senior official from the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), who spoke on condition of anonymity, the overall gas supply situation has required significant "adjustment" since the halt in LNG shipments from Qatar. The official stated that the utility had so far "successfully" managed to ensure gas supplies during Sehri and Iftar. However, residents report that low gas pressure and unannounced outages have made it increasingly difficult to cook during these peak times.

The situation has been further complicated by the SSGC's introduction of an unannounced supply schedule, which has left many citizens uncertain about when gas will be available. The ongoing conflict in Iran, which began around two weeks ago, has exacerbated the crisis, with Karachi's households bearing the brunt of the resulting shortages.

As the demand for gas peaks during Ramazan, many citizens have turned to alternative fuel sources, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, to meet their cooking needs. Scenes of people queuing at LPG shops have become increasingly common in neighborhoods like North Nazimabad.

The gas shortage has sparked frustration among Karachi's residents, who are calling for greater transparency and a more reliable supply schedule from the authorities. The SSGC has not issued a formal statement regarding when the situation might improve.