Running out of gas

Pakistan's natural gas reserves have depleted considerably over the years, forcing SSGC to restrict domestic supplies to three designated meal times a day. With indigenous production having declined by nearly half over the past decade, the country is struggling to meet even the basic energy needs of its population. The restrictions have added to the difficulties of households in Sindh and Balochistan, where prolonged outages and low gas pressure have already become commonplace.

The problem is particularly acute for urban cities like Karachi, where households already contend with erratic supplies and rising utility bills. Even the assurance of gas during cooking hours offers little relief when pressure is insufficient to operate a stove. The illegal use of suction pumps and compressors, which deprives neighbouring households of their share, is another symptom of a distribution system in which scarcity has become normalised. Consumers should not have to compete for a basic utility, nor should they be expected to bear the consequences of failures in supply management.

SSGC's available gas has fallen by almost 13% in a single year, while national production has reportedly halved over the past decade. The disruption of LNG imports from Qatar amid the Middle East conflict has further exposed Pakistan's dependence on external supplies. Yet imported gas has hardly provided a dependable solution. The country has previously struggled with surplus LNG under inflexible contracts, even as domestic shortages persisted.

There is no immediate remedy for exhausted gas fields. However, the present shortage demands more than adjustments to household cooking schedules. Scarce supplies must be allocated transparently, losses must be curtailed and investment in domestic production must be encouraged alongside a gradual transition to more sustainable energy sources. Above all, the authorities must recognise that rationing is an emergency measure, not an energy policy.