THE agonising natural gas supply crisis is currently paralysing life in Karachi owing to the mismanagement of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). While gas loadshedding has unfortunately become a seasonal norm in Pakistan, the current situation in Karachi has bypassed all levels of public endurance, evolving from a mere shortage into a total suspension of supply that defies the government’s own announced schedules.

For the last several weeks, the people of Karachi have been subjected to a dual torture: the absence of gas and the presence of a deceptive official schedule. SSGC repeatedly issues timings for gas provision, usually centred around meal hours, but these schedules remain largely confined to paper.

In reality, neighbourhoods across the city are reporting zero pressure or complete outages during the very hours they are promised supply. The domestic fallout of this crisis is devastating. Beyond the domestic inconvenience, the crisis is indicative of systemic failure that reflects poorly on our energy infrastructure management. If the infrastructure is failing, the public deserves transparency, not vague promises and broken schedules.

The relevant ministry and the SSGC management need to move beyond rhetoric. In case of gas shortage owing to reasons beyond our control, the distribution must be equitable, and the schedules must be honoured with professional integrity. The people are not asking for a luxury; they are asking for the basic utility they pay for.

Fatima Arshad Khan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2026