As the harsh winter settles in across Pakistan, the demand for energy spikes, often leaving families struggling to keep their homes warm and kitchens running. Addressing these concerns, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pavez Malik announced in the National Assembly that the government is providing 26% more gas to domestic consumers this year compared to the last, aiming to ease the seasonal burden on the public.
Speaking on the floor of the Parliament, the Minister highlighted a clear directive from the Prime Minister: households must receive an uninterrupted gas supply from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. This schedule is designed to ensure that families can prepare meals and manage their daily routines without the frustration of sudden outages. He mentioned that high-level meetings are being held regularly to monitor the situation and ensure that the winter gas demand is met efficiently.
The Minister shared encouraging statistics, noting a significant reduction in gas load-shedding this year. While the northern regions are seeing a 26% increase in supply, the southern regions are also receiving about 18% more gas. Addressing the specific challenges in Balochistan, where the cold is often severe, he admitted that local gas production is insufficient. To bridge this gap, gas is being diverted from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh to support the people of Balochistan.
However, challenges remain. The Minister pointed out issues related to gas theft and meter tampering in cities like Quetta but promised that reported pressure issues would be resolved. With over 7 to 8 million households relying on this network, the government claims to have improved its responsiveness. According to the Minister, thousands of complaints received in November were addressed within 36 hours, signaling a more proactive approach to public service this winter.
