With a sudden drop in temperatures across the country, the gas crisis has also deepened compounding the miseries of citizens. Just like unannounced loadshedding are witnessed in scorching summers, there is now an acute gas shortage every winter.
The total shortfall has surged to 600 MMCFD compelling gas utility companies to curtail supply to domestic consumers and the CNG sector. Gas stations opened for only a few hours on Sunday leading to large queues of vehicles to fill up their tanks before they were ordered to close down due to low gas pressure. Gas is now only available for a few hours in Karachi while residents in Lahore and others parts of Punjab are also suffering from a gas shortage.
The government states that gas supply to CNG stations was suspended to ensure supply to commercial sector and more importantly for households. This seems to have become a recurring problem every year when winter peaks. The federal government and gas utilities have done little to address the issue, explore natural gas, or stop the use of gas compressors. The LNG import deal has fallen prey to political waggling and is unlikely to be resolved soon.
One of the reasons for the shortfall is the gas theft and leakage particularly in KP and Punjab. The other relates to changing weather pattern as Pakistan is one the worst affected countries from climate change. The situation seems to be getting out of control and requires timely intervention from the government and concerned authorities to address the issue.
The gas crisis has also taken over the political landscape as the federal and Sindh government traded blame over the shortage. Energy Minister Omar Ayub remarked that the government was not allowed to lay a gas pipeline in the province, placing the full responsibility on the PPP government. This blame game is unlikely to resolve the crisis.
The Sindh government took exception and stated that the crisis emanates from the failure to implement Article 158 of the Constitution which states that the province which produces gas has first right, after which the remaining can be distributed to other provinces. Despite producing 70 percent of the country’s gas, Sindh continues to experience gas shortages.
The provincial government should cooperate with the Centre to resolve any outstanding issues. It is imperative that the due rights of provinces are not usurped. In the long-run, industries and vehicles should gradually shift away from gas and find alternatives. For now, it should be ensured that people do not have to spend another chilly winter.
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