HCSTSI says concerned at severe gas shortage, low pressure

HYDERABAD: President Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI), Saleem Memon, has expressed serious concern over the severe gas shortage, low pressure, and increasing load management in Sindh, particularly in Hyderabad and other industrial areas, stating that the situation is having devastating effects on business activity and domestic life.

He warned that with temperatures expected to fall further in January, the gas shortage is likely to turn into a major crisis for both households and industries. He stated that Sindh produces approximately 65 percent of Pakistan’s total natural gas output, yet under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, the province is being supplied nearly 600 MMCFD less gas than its actual requirement. At the same time, the federal government is entering into expensive LNG import agreements far exceeding national demand, forcing the shutdown of local gas fields, while consumers and industries still do not receive adequate gas supply.

Memon said that according to SSGC’s own data, indigenous gas supply in Sindh and Balochistan has declined by around 55 percent over the past eight years. However, despite this decline, no timely alternative arrangements were made and infrastructure was not upgraded, resulting in frequent gas closures and extremely low pressure under the name of load management, severely disrupting industrial activity.

The Chamber President said that although these figures are based on SSGC’s own sources, existing arrangements remain inadequate, placing continuous hardship and financial burden on consumers, traders, and especially small and medium industries. Low pressure and unpredictable supply are disrupting production, preventing timely fulfilment of orders, and pushing many units towards partial or permanent shutdown, resulting in business losses and rising unemployment.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025