Residents of Karachi are facing a new challenge this Ramadan as gas supply cuts are causing major complaints about shortages and load shedding across the metropolis. Many citizens are expecting a major cooking crisis during the holy month. Complaints about gas supply cuts have been reported from various areas of the city, with some residents stating that they have had no gas supply for nearly four months. Saba Naveed, a resident of Lyari, has revealed that her family has permanently shifted to using gas cylinders, which costs her Rs600 for a 2.5kg gas cylinder that lasts nearly two weeks. However, it is a real risk using a gas cylinder with three children around, and despite numerous calls and visits to the Karachi office of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), they have failed to help during the crises.
Meanwhile, Usman, a resident of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, has said that they only get gas for six hours a day, from 2 am to 4:30 am and 4 pm to 8 pm. Usman is responsible for running a household of six people, but he has been jobless for over six months, and the gas shortage has only worsened his woes. In other parts of Karachi, such as Garden, Saddar, and Clifton, the same situation persists.
While the SSGC spokesperson has stated that the company has not resorted to load shedding anywhere in the country, he said that certain areas may face low pressure due to the fact that around 20 million to 20.5 million stoves take gas at the same time during sehri. The company issued a statement announcing the timings for what it called “gas profiling” during the holy month, stating that gas would be provided to consumers uninterrupted during sehri and iftar. However, the company then revealed that there was a shortfall in its system due to a yearly 8% to 9% decline in the country’s gas reserves, and gas profiling would continue from 8 am to 2:30 pm to ensure better gas pressure.
Many residents of Karachi are struggling to afford basic necessities like gas and electricity, and the government’s failure to provide these essential services is causing frustration and anger. With rising inflation and trickling incomes, the gas shortage during Ramadan is yet another challenge that residents must face. The government needs to take immediate action to address these issues and provide relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet.
