In an announcement made during a press conference on Wednesday, Caretaker Minister Muhammad Ali stated that consumers would face a gas shortage in the approaching winter, with utility available for only eight hours a day due to limited supply.
Minister Muhammad Ali emphasized that natural gas reserves had decreased by 18 percent compared to the previous year, making it impossible for the government to provide round-the-clock utility under the current circumstances. He noted that the country had been grappling with gas load-shedding for a couple of years.
To address the issue, the government is planning to review the gas supply plan in order to provide consumers with eight hours of utility each day.
Regarding the gas supply challenges in the industrial sector, the minister expressed hope that they would be resolved by December, as two liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes are set for that month. He assured that efforts are underway to ensure adequate supply for domestic, fertilizer, and industrial sectors in the upcoming winter.
Minister Muhammad Ali also touched upon the crackdown on power theft and recovery efforts, revealing that Rs16 billion had been collected from defaulters so far. He affirmed that the crackdown would continue.
Furthermore, the minister hinted at a forthcoming change in the board of directors for all power distribution companies (DISCOs), with the management of DISCOs transitioning to the private sector.
