SNGPL Announces Gas Suspension in Islamabad on October 19-20

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited will suspend gas supply to several areas of Islamabad on Monday night, October 19, to carry out work on its main pipelines.

The company shared the schedule in two gas shutdown alerts on its official X account.

Supply cut from 9pm in most areas

Supply will be cut from 9pm in most of the affected areas and from 10pm in Blue Area, and will be restored at 6am on Tuesday, October 20.

The first suspension is needed for a hook-up on the main pipeline between Faizabad and Khanna Pul. Gas supply will remain off from 9pm on Monday until 6am on Tuesday in the following areas:

• Ghouri Town to Faizabad service road (east)
• Lehtrar Road (Khanna Pul to Burma Town)
• Sohan
• Ghouri Town
• Gulberg Town
• Shakrial
• Rehman Garden
• Burma Town
• Garden Town and adjoining areas

Blue Area and G-7 suspension from 10pm

The second suspension is due to the disconnection of a main pipeline in Blue Area. Gas supply to Sector G-7, Blue Area and adjoining areas will remain off from 10pm on Monday until 6am on Tuesday.

Residents and businesses in the commercial heart of the capital, including Blue Area offices and G-7 homes, should plan meals and heating around the overnight cut.

Consumers asked to turn off appliances

SNGPL has advised consumers in these areas to make alternative arrangements during the suspension. The company also asked them to keep all gas appliances turned off while supply is suspended to avoid any accident when pressure is restored.

Part of ongoing winter pipeline work

The announcement comes a day after SNGPL announced a similar gas suspension in several Rawalpindi areas, part of a rolling programme of pipeline maintenance and hook-ups across the twin cities.

Earlier this month, the federal government launched its winter gas management plan, which prioritises domestic consumers during peak winter months while industry and commercial users face scheduled restrictions.

Domestic gas supply typically comes under pressure from December to February, when household demand for heating and cooking peaks. The current maintenance schedule suggests SNGPL is clearing its backlog of pipeline work before the cold sets in.

For households, the practical steps remain the same during each announced shutdown: finish cooking before 9pm, switch off geysers and heaters, and confirm that all gas knobs are closed before supply is restored at 6am.

Why SNGPL keeps cutting supply

SNGPL’s pipeline network in the twin cities is ageing, and the company has been running a rolling programme of tie-ins and hook-ups on main lines. These shutdowns are usually scheduled overnight precisely to limit the inconvenience to households, which use gas most during the day.

The bigger picture is gas pricing and supply reform. Pakistan’s domestic gas reserves are declining — new discoveries have been modest — and imported LNG now plugs much of the gap in winter. Under the winter management plan, the government balances household demand against industrial and commercial use, with the IMF also pressing for gas sector reforms.

How to prepare for Monday night

Households in the affected areas should:

• Cook dinner before 9pm, or arrange alternative cooking fuel for Monday night.
• Switch off geysers and room heaters before supply is cut.
• Double-check that all gas knobs and appliance valves are closed, so there is no risk when pressure is restored at 6am.
• Keep windows slightly ventilated in kitchens, as a precaution against any leak on resumption.

Small businesses in Blue Area and G-7 — including the restaurants along the commercial strip — may feel the cut more sharply, and should plan closing hours accordingly.

*Sources: ProPakistani, SNGPL*