The government has announced a nationwide closure of CNG stations in December and January as part of a gas load management plan aimed at meeting higher demand during winter. The Ministry of Petroleum stated that the shutdown will ensure a consistent gas supply to households during the coldest months.
Industries that use gas to generate electricity will also face supply cuts in all provinces from December 2024 to January 2025 and will need to depend on electricity from utility companies. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has been instructed to disconnect gas connections for CNG stations from December 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025.
In a meeting led by Petroleum Minister Musadik Malik, officials noted a five percent decline in natural gas production, prompting this gas load management strategy. Though gas production continues in provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Sindh, CNG stations there will remain closed throughout December and January.
Earlier this year, the federal government urged K-P’s authorities to assist SNGPL in carrying out the Winter Gas Load Management Plan, following local reluctance to suspend gas supplies to CNG stations. A letter from the Ministry of Energy to the K-P chief secretary stressed the need to restrict gas supply to the CNG sector to prioritize households, warning that failure to do so could lead to severe gas shortages and low pressure across the network, particularly during the peak winter period.
As the gas supply cuts take effect, many public transport vehicles are off the roads, sparking frustration among commuters who rely on CNG-powered services. The ministry also noted that gas supply to the power sector will be limited due to reduced river flows caused by prolonged dry weather, further emphasizing the importance of coordinated efforts to implement the Winter Gas Load Management Plan.
