Karachi gas outages disrupt households

KARACHI: Widespread and unannounced gas outages across Karachi have disrupted daily life over the past two weeks, with residents reporting that supply was unavailable even during peak cooking hours.

The shortages have forced households to seek alternatives, with many turning to roadside vendors, restaurants and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) suppliers. In several neighbourhoods, long queues formed outside bakeries and food stalls, particularly for roti and naan, while LPG outlets struggled to meet rising demand.

Residents described the situation as particularly difficult for families, saying the sudden suspension of gas left them scrambling to arrange meals. Women responsible for household cooking were among the hardest hit, while others questioned why no prior notice had been issued.

Students also reported disruptions, saying they were sent to purchase food during ongoing examinations, losing valuable study time while waiting in lines. Many added that concurrent power outages had compounded the problem.

At LPG shops, some customers said they waited for extended periods, only to be told that cylinders were out of stock.

However, in a statement issued on Monday, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) rejected claims of disruption during meal times. The company said gas supply had been maintained for breakfast, lunch and dinner, adding that system pressure remained stable and no formal complaints had been recorded.

SSGC also said it was managing limited regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supplies while ensuring distribution to key sectors, including power generation and fertiliser production.

The outages have drawn criticism from political leaders. Ali Khurshidi, an opposition figure in the Sindh Assembly, said the situation was adding to the burden on citizens already facing high inflation, and questioned the utility’s performance.

Separately, Fauzia Siddiqui of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf described the shortages as part of a broader failure to provide basic services in the city. She pointed to ongoing issues with electricity and water supply, calling for urgent improvements to infrastructure and uninterrupted access to utilities.