Pakistan: People in several cities face gas shortage during first sehri of Ramzan

Islamabad [Pakistan], March 2 (ANI): Multiple cities of Pakistan faced gas shortages during the first sehri of Ramzan, leaving people struggling to make their pre-dawn meals, ARY News reported. Residents experienced gas shortages despite gas companies claiming to provide uninterrupted gas supply.

Gas distribution companies have committed to provide uninterrupted gas supply to residents during Sehri and Iftar hours. However, residents in various cities, including Karachi and Rawalpindi, faced complete gas outages, on the first day of sehri.

People in Karachi's Rifah Aam Society, Malir, Nazimabad, Gulbahar, and Ranchore Line areas were severely impacted due to gas shortage. Similarly, residents in Sixth Road, Satellite Town, Dhoke Kashmirian, Dhoke Pracha, Service Road, Dhoke Kala Khan, Khurram Colony, and Sadiqabad areas of Rawalpindi also faced gas shortages.

Many households struggled to make sehri during the first day of Ramzan, forcing residents to rush to hotels and roadside eateries for food. In some areas, people had no option but to start fasting without sehri, according to ARY News report.

The gas crisis in multiple cities of Pakistan on the very first day of Ramzan has sparked concerns regarding the reliability of supply throughout the holy month, as Sui Northern Gas Company and Sui Southern Gas Company have been unable to deliver on their commitments to provide uninterrupted gas supply.

The Holy month of Ramzan, a period of 30 days of fasting, started on March 2. It is followed by Eid-Ul-Fitr, marking the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramzan.

Earlier this week, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) announced the gas load-shedding schedule during Ramzan, ARY News reported. According to the schedule, gas supply will remain suspended from 9 am to 3 pm and 10 pm to 3 am during Ramzan.

The SSGC will ensure a continued supply of gas during Sehr-o-Iftar times, the SSGC said. Pakistan's gas reserves are declining 8 to 10 per cent every year, the company said in its statement. In an alarming announcement, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) said that Pakistan's gas reserves are likely to be reduced by half by 2027. (ANI)

(The story has come from a syndicated feed and has not been edited by the Tribune Staff.)