As the government announced to ensure thrice a day gas supply in Pakistan during the winter season amid expected shortage of gas, a photo of a gas supply program purportedly released by Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) , circulated on social media.
However, the SSGC on Sunday took note of the matter and denied reports that it had issued a program for provision of gas, terming the information as “fake news”.
Taking to Twitter, SSGC clarified that the information being given to SSGC is bogus, as it refers to a picture circulated on social media.
It said that “SSGC has nothing to do with it”. [the information]”And if there is an announcement regarding the cut in gas supply, it will be announced by the Ministry of Power.
“A post is being shared on social media listing a ‘Gas Schedule’ and informing the SSGC. Please note that this is fake news and SSGC has nothing to do with it. If any cuts are announced, it will be from the Ministry of Power (Petroleum Division),” read the statement.
The post cited by SSGC claimed that the gas company has announced a timetable for gas load shedding, according to which gas will be supplied thrice a day to domestic consumers during these hours:
Morning: 5:30am to 8:30am
Afternoon: 11:30am to 2pm
Evening: 4 pm to 10 pm
‘Supply of gas should be ensured during breakfast, lunch, dinner’
The “fake news” on social media follows a statement by Federal Energy Minister Hammad Azhar on Friday, which said gas supply would be ensured during breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The statement came during a discussion on the expected gas crisis in the Senate as Azhar rubbished rumors about the provision of gas for only three days a week.
Azhar said, “For the first time, the government is trying to ensure supply of gas thrice every day.”
When asked whether people would be able to fry eggs during gas shortage, Azhar replied in the affirmative.
Domestic, industrial consumers will face gas shortage
Earlier this week, The News reported that the Pakistan government has decided to continue supplying gas to the power and fertilizer sectors, while domestic and industrial consumers are facing shortages amid the country’s major gas shortage during the winter season. have to do it.
The Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) took the decision during a meeting on Thursday, chaired by Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar.
The publication reported that the supply of gas to “dedicated” consumers, including CCOE power and fertilizer plants, would remain stable.
The power plant on Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited supply, which provides gas to Punjab and KP, will be provided RLNG during 2021-22 with additional supplies. The power sector losses will be compensated through furnace oil. Any gas saved from captive power plants will be diverted to export-oriented industries.
The total availability of gas from domestic resources is 3,300 mmcfd, while with the import of RLNG, another 1,000 mmcfd of gas is coming into the system, the publication reported, citing official sources. The maximum gas supply available is in the range of 4,300 mmcfd against an average demand of 6,500 to 7,000 mmcfd. This demand reaches up to 8,000 mmcfd during the severe winter season.
Why fear of gas crisis again this year?
According to official sources, like every year in Pakistan, this year too there is a possibility of a major gas crisis due to various reasons.
One of the reasons is that the local gas discoveries have seen a decline, hence domestic gas reserves are depleting, the sources said, adding that a few years back the local gas supply was 4,300 mmcfd, but now it has come down to 3,300 mmcfd. is on. MMCFD.
Imports of RLNG also faced difficulties and Pakistan used to add 1,200 mmcfd gas through RLNG a few years back, but is now going to add only 1,000 mmcfd gas.
“There is a need to find out why two RLNG terminals could not be set up. Had they been there, the country could have imported 1,200 mmcfd more gas through RLNG,” said official sources.