Karachi faces a severe gas crisis this winter as residents struggle with low gas pressure, long load shedding, and rising LPG prices. From Clifton to North Karachi, families are forced to switch to costly alternatives amid depleting SSGC reserves and aging pipelines.
Severe Gas Shortage
The gas crisis has gripped almost every neighborhood of Karachi. From North Karachi and Lyari to Clifton and Defence, residents complain of either no gas supply or extremely low pressure. According to citizens, the official SSGC gas load shedding schedule from 9:30 pm to 6 am and 2:30 pm to 5 pm does not reflect the ground reality. Many areas face outages far longer than announced, leaving kitchens cold and stoves unused.
A resident from North Karachi said: We haven’t had proper gas for a week. Switching to LPG is the only option now, but it’s very costly for families.
In Malir’s Khokhrapar, people have been without gas for several days. Muhammad Rizwan, a retired KMC worker, said: I cannot afford expensive LPG cylinders with my pending dues. The gas shortage has made life unbearable.
Gas Crisis Worsened
Industry sources blame Karachi’s gas crisis not just on rising demand but also on the city’s dilapidated gas distribution network. Much of the pipeline system is decades old, full of leaks, and unable to handle winter demand. SSGC is currently replacing sections of the 2,500 km distribution network, especially in North Nazimabad, Lyari, and other densely populated areas.
However, these repairs are also disrupting supply. Many households report that gas pressure drops completely when pipeline replacement is underway, deepening the gas crisis in Karachi. Complaints to the 1199 helpline have reportedly surged since December, showing how widespread the shortage has become.
Illegal Suction Devices
Another challenge in this gas crisis is the rampant use of illegal suction devices. These devices are designed to artificially increase pressure in homes, but in reality, they worsen the supply for surrounding houses. According to SSGC officials, suction pumps are a key reason why many neighborhoods experience unbalanced gas flow.
However, frustrated citizens counter that the devices are no longer useful, since there is only air but no gas in the pipelines. The blame game highlights how the Karachi gas crisis is both a technical and social problem.
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Families Turning to Costly LPG
With no end to the gas shortage in sight, Karachi’s residents are turning to LPG as a substitute. Shops across the city report soaring sales of LPG cylinders, even though the prices remain high.
The All Pakistan LPG Marketers Association confirmed that demand has surged dramatically. Where Karachi’s LPG requirement used to be around 12 tonnes per day, it has now jumped to nearly 17 tonnes. Vice-Chairman Muhammad Ali Haider explained that retail LPG sales are not strictly regulated, meaning each shop sells at its own rate. This lack of price control has left consumers vulnerable during the ongoing gas crisis.
Households in Clifton, Defence, Saddar, and other middle-class localities have long abandoned hopes of steady SSGC supply. I haven’t used my gas stove in years, said Durreshahwar, a Clifton resident. “LPG is expensive, but at least it is reliable.”
For working-class families, however, the switch to LPG is a heavy burden. A housewife in Saddar, Samreen Hasan, said: I have school-going children. I cannot wait for the gas to return at odd hours, so LPG is the only choice now.
SSGC’s Explanation of the Gas Crisis
The SSGC spokesperson admitted that Pakistan’s indigenous gas reserves are depleting fast, causing a consistent drop in supply. Since 2017-18, the company’s gas reserves have fallen by about 40 percent, worsening each winter.
He explained that the gas crisis requires careful load management, which is why SSGC enforces night-time closures from 10 pm to 5 am. According to the company, these temporary shutdowns help balance pressure for the next day and conserve limited supplies for cooking hours.
However, residents argue that reality is far harsher than the official schedule, with load shedding lasting almost all day in some neighborhoods.
Political Pressure Over Gas Shortages
The gas crisis in Karachi has also sparked political reactions. Both the Sindh government and opposition parties have expressed concern, demanding that domestic consumers be prioritized over industrial or commercial sectors. Critics accuse the federal authorities of ignoring Karachi’s needs despite the city being Pakistan’s economic hub.
Political leaders warn that the prolonged gas shortage in Pakistan not only affects households but also harms industries, businesses, and schools that rely on steady energy.
Economic and Social Impact
The consequences of this gas crisis go far beyond kitchens. Families spend more on LPG and wood, adding pressure to already tight household budgets. Street food vendors complain of higher costs, which they pass on to customers, contributing to inflation.
Schools and hospitals also face challenges in keeping facilities warm during cold nights. For small businesses, the crisis means lower productivity, rising costs, and customer dissatisfaction.
The Karachi gas crisis is also damaging public trust in energy providers. Many residents openly accuse SSGC of mismanagement and negligence, saying the company has failed to provide a reliable service for years.
Gas Shortage in Pakistan
While Karachi is currently the hardest hit, the gas crisis in Pakistan is not limited to one city. Reports from Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa show similar problems: low pressure, long hours of load shedding, and rising dependence on LPG.
Experts warn that unless Pakistan invests in new energy sources and improves its infrastructure, the gas crisis will only worsen in the coming years. The depletion of natural reserves, combined with growing population and industrial demand, means that winters will bring recurring shortages.
Conclusion
For the people of Karachi, the gas crisis is more than just an inconvenience it is a survival issue. Families are forced to cook at odd hours, spend extra money on LPG, or simply go without proper meals. While SSGC cites depleting reserves and infrastructure repairs as reasons, citizens believe poor management and lack of planning are equally to blame.
Until sustainable solutions are introduced, the Karachi gas crisis will continue to dominate headlines every winter, leaving millions of residents frustrated, exhausted, and paying more for basic cooking fuel.
