SSGC quashes fake news on 18-hour gas loadshedding

ISLAMABAD: Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) on Tuesday denied reports regarding plans to increase the duration of gas loadshedding to 18 hours from October 15.

SSGC termed a schedule floating on social media as "fake news" and shared that the company had devised a gas management plan, which has been postponed.

Speaking to Geo News, the State Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik clarified that no plan has been announced yet; however, relevant authorities have been directed to formulate a strategy ensuring supply during mealtimes “at any cost”.

He said that planning is in progress by the SSGC and added that gas shutdown during mealtimes in winter would not be acceptable like in previous years.

Earlier, Malik warned of a severe gas crisis in coming winters, saying that the government “will try to provide gas during breakfast and mealtimes”.

“To meet the gas demand for domestic consumers of Sui Northern, 95mmcfd is required, however, only 68mmcfd will be available in the winter. While we have the same situation for Sui Southern consumers,” said the state minister.

Considering such a situation, Malik said that the government will try to provide gas to consumers during meal times only.

The state minister further said that government will import an additional 20,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

“We are devising a comprehensive plan for gas distribution in winter and it will be announced shortly,” he added.