Karachi Gas Outage Schedule Announced
Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced a complete suspension of gas supply in Karachi for 48 hours, citing a severe system-wide gas shortage that has pushed network pressure to unsafe levels.
According to an official spokesperson, the city-wide shutdown will begin at 8:00 am tomorrow and remain in effect until 8:00 am on January 5, 2026.
Why Gas Supply Is Being Fully Suspended in Karachi
SSGC officials said the decision was taken after critically low line-pack levels and reduced system pressure made it impossible to maintain stable supply.
Key Reasons Behind the Shutdown
- Acute gas shortfall in the transmission system
- Low line-pack, limiting operational flexibility
- Pressure instability affecting consumer supply
- Risk of system damage if supply continues uninterrupted
The spokesperson explained that intermittent supply was no longer sustainable, leaving a temporary but complete shutdown as the only viable option.
Outage Schedule & Affected Areas
Gas Outage Timeline
- Start: 8:00 am
- End: 8:00 am, January 5, 2026
- Duration: 48 hours
The shutdown applies to all areas of Karachi, with no sector exempted during the outage window.
Industrial Units & Power Plants to Remain Without Gas
SSGC confirmed that all industrial consumers will be affected during the shutdown.
Impacted Consumers Include:
- Industrial units
- Factories
- Power generation plants
- Commercial bulk users
The move is expected to temporarily halt gas-dependent industrial activity, adding pressure on backup fuel arrangements and power generation planning.
Households Already Facing Low Pressure
Even before the announced shutdown, many residents had been experiencing:
- Low gas pressure
- Interrupted cooking hours
- Unreliable morning and evening supply
SSGC acknowledged that these issues were early indicators of a deepening supply crisis, prompting the decision to reset system pressure through a controlled outage.
What SSGC Says About Restoration
The utility appealed to consumers for cooperation and patience, assuring that supply would be restored as soon as system pressure stabilizes.
Official Assurance
- Gas supply will resume once line-pack levels recover
- Safety thresholds will be met before restoration
- System normalization is the top operational priority
SSGC said technical teams will remain on standby throughout the shutdown period to monitor recovery and ensure a safe restart.
What Karachi Residents Should Do During the Shutdown
Consumer Advisory
- Make advance cooking arrangements
- Use alternative fuels safely
- Avoid tampering with gas lines or meters
- Ensure gas valves are properly turned off during the outage
- Monitor official SSGC updates for restoration notices
Authorities warn that unsafe use of alternative fuels can pose serious fire and health risks.
Why Gas Shortages Are Becoming More Frequent
Energy experts point to several structural issues:
- Rising seasonal demand
- Declining domestic gas production
- Limited import flexibility
- Aging infrastructure under strain
These factors have made planned outages and pressure management increasingly common during peak demand periods.
Final Overview
The 48-hour Karachi gas shutdown underscores the severity of Pakistan’s gas supply constraints in early 2026. While disruptive for households and industry alike, SSGC maintains that the temporary suspension is necessary to protect system integrity and ensure safe restoration.
Residents and businesses are advised to plan accordingly, as gas supply will only resume once pressure returns to safe operational levels.
