KARACHI: A severe gas crisis gripped the city on Tuesday, as residents in several parts woke up to an unpleasant shock in the morning to find no gas in their stoves, contrary to the assurance by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) that gas would be provided during meal timings.
The situation was further complicated by multiple contradictory gas supply schedules attributed to SSGC that began circulating on social media from Monday. However, the utility did not issue any clear and consolidated statement until late Tuesday evening, adding to the confusion.
For the past some years, consumers have not been getting round-the-clock gas supply and the utility has never bothered to officially notify them of a three-time gas supply schedule, except to say that gas would be supplied during meal times.
However, complaints poured in from several parts of the city, including Hasan Square Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, Federal B Area, North Karachi, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Malir, Korangi, Landhi, Orangi Town, Lyari, Saddar, PECHS, DHA and Clifton, where citizens said even the limited schedule was not even being honoured. In localities where it was available, the pressure was so low that stoves could not be lit.
Varying gas schedules on social media deepen confusion as utility remains silent
People came down heavily on the gas utility for not keeping them informed about the gas loadshedding in advance. “Why does SSGC not inform us? At least send an SMS or give a notice on TV. We are left to guess the schedule”, said Khalid Hussain from Liaquatabad.
Farhan Qureshi from Gulistan-i-Jauhar said that social media was showing three different SSGC schedules, and the gas utility itself is silent. “This confusion is deliberate to hide their failure.”
Shahida Bibi from North Karachi said that when gas did come, it was so low that it could not even boil water for tea. “My stove makes a noise but the flame is like a candle. What are we supposed to cook on this?” she asked.
The outage also caused severe hardship for the women, elderly, patients and schoolchildren.
A resident from PECHS summed up the public anger: “SSGC has made life hell for Karachiites. No gas, no pressure, no notice, no shame. They should be taken to court for this cruelty.”
With kitchens shut, a heavy rush was witnessed at hotels, restaurants, tandoors and roadside eateries, particularly in the evening, as families had no option but to buy expensive food from outside.
What has made the situation worse is the soaring price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which has become unaffordable for the common man, particularly the poor.
Residents said that with no gas and skyrocketing LPG rates, they were left with no viable option for cooking.
“LPG prices have gone through the roof. It is like a sword hanging over us. How can an ordinary person buy such an expensive fuel? SSGC has forced us to buy expensive LPG and now even that is out of reach,” said Irfan Ali from Orangi Town.
Abdul Sattar from Korangi said: “I earn Rs1,200 a day. Yesterday, I spent Rs800 on naan and salan for my eight-member family because there was no gas. It is impossible for the poor to survive like this.”
Citizens demanded that SSGC immediately clarify its official schedule, ensure its implementation, control LPG prices in coordination with the authorities concerned and establish a system of advance public notice.
Despite repeated attempts, no official response was available from SSGC until late at night.
Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2026
