KARACHI: The Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations reopened on Sunday after being closed for six-days in Sindh province.
The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) had suspended gas supply to all CNG stations due to a shortage of million square feet of gas and the system’s line pack. Domestic consumers had complained of extremely low gas pressure as the shortage became acute in Karachi.
Initially, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) had announced the closure of CNG stations for three days starting January 11 in wake of the gas crisis that has gripped the country.
The duration, however, was extended and after another 24 hours delay, the gas stations reopened at 8:00 am on Sunday (today).
The SSGC spokesperson said, “Pressure is low from the various gas fields and they are facing problems in providing gas to the domestic consumers too. The further schedule of the CNG station will be announced later by keeping the gas pressure in view,” he added.
Earlier, the spokesperson of the Petroleum Division had said that additional LNG has also been arranged in some cargoes.
For January 2021, 30 percent more and cheaper LNG is being sought as compared to the rates and quantity in January 2018, the spokesperson had claimed, adding that the SSGC is facing low gas pressure only in Karachi and Quetta.
There is an acute gas crisis across Pakistan as winters get harsher. Gas supply to stations is being suspended in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and to make matters worse.
The government has decided to close down the gas supply for an export industry once a week if an emergency-like situation emerges in January regarding the availability of gas.
