The supply of gas to CNG stations throughout Sindh has been switched off for two and a half months in order to ensure the uninterrupted gas supply to domestic consumers, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

The widening gap between demand and supply prompted the authorities to take the decision.

The supply of gas to the CNG stations will remain shut for two and half months, i.e, from 8:00 am today to 10:00 pm, February 15, 2022.

According to the TV channel, the decision was taken purely to accommodate the domestic households as winter sets in.

The authorities have already suspended the supply of gas to the non-exporting industries. The supply was on for zero-rated industries including captive power plants.

According to the Sui Southern Gas Pipelines Limited (SSGPL), the supply of gas to CNG stations was halted to meet the needs of the domestic consumers under the load management plan.

The federal cabinet on Tuesday had ratified the decisions taken at the meeting of the Committee on Energy held on Nov 18, 2021. The Committee on Energy had recommended gas load management plan for winter 2021-22.

Under the plan, domestic gas would be reserved for domestic consumers only because of its low cost. The CNG sector will be closed from Dec 1, 2021 to Feb 15, 2022. Gas supply to IPPs and fertilizer factories will continue. Gas supply to export sector industries will continue. Power plants running on LNG will be provided 5% additional gas.

Electricity prices have been reduced for domestic consumers in winter (Rs12.96 per kwh) to meet the gas shortage. Gas saved from CNG, cement and captive power will be used for domestic consumption. A public awareness campaign is being launched to save gas.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting later told the newsmen that the gas saved from the CNG, cement and captive power plants will be provided to the domestic consumers.

Fawad said the use of electricity is also being encouraged in the winter season and its tariff has been reduced for domestic consumers in order to entice them to shift their appliances such as geysers and heaters to electricity. He warned, “Our gas reserves are fast depleting and we have to evolve an alternative strategy to deal with the situation.”

Reporter Shahzaib Hussain