SSGC announces overnight gas shutdown in Karachi for mainline repairs
KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has announced an overnight shutdown of a 24-inch mainline in the Sher Shah area for repair work, warning that several Karachi neighbourhoods could face low gas pressure on Sunday morning if the work runs past its scheduled window.
The SSGC Karachi gas shutdown will begin at 10pm on Saturday, October 17, and continue until 9am on Sunday, October 18, according to statements issued by the utility.
Areas affected by the SSGC Karachi gas shutdown
SSGC said the work could reduce gas pressure in parts of Baldia Town, including Ittehad Town, Saeedabad, Naval Colony, Musharraf Colony and Mawach Goth, if repairs extend beyond the announced timeframe.
Parts of Orangi Town may also feel the effect. The utility named Gulshan-e-Bahar, Gulshan-e-Zia, Sector 16 and Ghaziabad among the localities that could see low pressure, along with Altaf Nagar, Mehran City and Ramzan Goth. The SITE Industrial Area is on the watch list as well.
The company stressed that its warning concerns a possible drop in pressure if the shutdown is prolonged, rather than a confirmed and complete suspension of supply across all the listed areas. It apologised to consumers for any inconvenience the maintenance work may cause.
Work timed for low-demand hours
According to SSGC, the maintenance was deliberately scheduled during overnight hours when domestic gas supply is normally suspended. The 11-hour window gives repair crews time to work on the mainline while most households are not drawing gas.
Residents in the affected neighbourhoods should still plan around the possibility of weak pressure on Sunday morning, particularly for cooking. If the repair work finishes on time, supply should return to normal by 9am.
Wider pressure on SSGC to cut losses
The shutdown comes as SSGC faces fresh directions from the government to put its finances in order. Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik recently directed the company’s board to develop a sustainable business strategy, with particular emphasis on reducing unaccounted-for gas, the industry term for gas lost to leakage and theft.
During a performance review in Karachi, the company’s management reported an approximately 57 per cent reduction in gas losses by volume. The meeting was also told that domestic consumers were receiving gas three times daily, a schedule the company has been trying to maintain through the winter demand season.
Karachi is not the only city dealing with gas works this weekend. Gas supply will also be suspended in several Rawalpindi areas on October 18, as maintenance and load management continue across the country’s gas networks.
The original reporting on this development was published by ProPakistani and The Express Tribune. For related energy coverage, see PM Shehbaz rejects LPG auction plan, blocks 15pc price hike and Pakistan to pay $1.29 billion for winter LNG as spot cargoes.
FAQ
What time will the SSGC gas shutdown in Karachi start and end?
The shutdown of the Sher Shah mainline begins at 10pm on Saturday, October 17, and is scheduled to end at 9am on Sunday, October 18.
Which Karachi areas may face low gas pressure?
Baldia Town localities including Ittehad Town, Saeedabad, Naval Colony, Musharraf Colony and Mawach Goth, parts of Orangi Town including Gulshan-e-Bahar, Gulshan-e-Zia, Sector 16 and Ghaziabad, plus Altaf Nagar, Mehran City, Ramzan Goth and the SITE Industrial Area.
Will gas supply stop completely in these areas?
No. SSGC has warned of possible low pressure if the repair work extends beyond the announced timeframe, not a confirmed complete suspension across all listed areas.
Why is SSGC carrying out this maintenance?
The utility says the overnight repair work on its 24-inch Sher Shah mainline was scheduled during hours when domestic gas supply is normally suspended, to minimise disruption to households.
