SSGC releases gas shutdown timetable for Karachi

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced an eight-hour gas suspension in Karachi scheduled from 10:00 PM on December 14 to 6:00 AM on December 15.

The suspension is necessary for the relocation of a high-pressure gas pipeline in the Peoples Chowrangi area as part of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. This relocation is crucial for ongoing infrastructure improvements. 

During this time, key facilities, including Agha Khan Hospital, Liaquat National Hospital, and Saylani Welfare Trust, will experience gas supply disruptions. Nearby households have already had their gas supply restricted as part of profiling measures.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad is grappling with a severe gas shortage as winter sets in, leading to frequent outages and low pressure that disrupt daily life. Residents, especially in Latifabad and Qasimabad are enduring gas cuts from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM, with the low pressure making the gas unusable. 

This situation has forced many, particularly women, to rely on costly alternatives like LPG cylinders or meals from local tandoors to fulfill their cooking needs. The ongoing gas outages also impact essential activities like heating water, exacerbating existing issues such as electricity load-shedding and water shortages.

The crisis has led to protests from local lawmakers, especially from MQM-Pakistan, who have strongly condemned the situation. They are urging the government and SSGC to address the gas shortage and ensure fair distribution, particularly for vulnerable and lower-income communities. 

Despite the growing public outcry residents are still awaiting a solution, and the situation continues to worsen as the cold weather deepens.