Winter gas schedule announced
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has issued a revised winter supply plan as the winter gas schedule announced for consumers in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, outlining three daily gas timings that will remain in effect from December through February. According to officials, gas will now be provided from 5:30 am to 8:30 am, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, and 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm each day, with authorities urging households to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner within these designated hours to avoid inconvenience amid rising winter demand.
The new schedule comes as pressure on the gas distribution system increases significantly during the cold season, with SNGPL officials assuring that despite heavy demand, sufficient gas remains available in the system. They added that the industrial sector will not face any gas load-shedding under the revised plan, a move aimed at ensuring continued economic activity and preventing disruptions to manufacturing. The announcement follows weeks of consumer complaints regarding low pressure and irregular supply, particularly in northern regions where usage spikes sharply during winter.
Gas Supply Timings:
Morning: 5:30 am to 8:30 am
Midday: 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Evening: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Officials reiterated that consumers must use gas responsibly and avoid wastage, emphasising that the commodity is expensive and should be used according to household needs. They said the new timings were designed to ensure that families can cook essential meals without facing shortages, while the distribution company focuses on maintaining system stability throughout the peak winter months.
Meanwhile, gas prices across Pakistan are expected to rise as both SNGPL and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) have submitted petitions to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) seeking substantial tariff hikes for the financial year 2025–26. According to official documents, SNGPL has requested an increase of Rs189 per MMBTU, while SSGC has sought a hike of Rs125.41 per MMBTU. OGRA has announced that hearings will be held on November 7 for SNGPL and November 11 for SSGC to assess the financial justifications before reaching a decision.
SNGPL has proposed an average prescribed price of Rs1,955.50 per MMBTU, citing financial requirements exceeding Rs52.95 billion for the next fiscal year, while SSGC has requested to fix its average price at Rs1,658.56 per MMBTU, projecting needs of over Rs24 billion. Both companies have also detailed shortfalls and recovery requirements, including SNGPL’s estimated Rs582 million LPG Air Mix subsidy deficit and SSGC’s request to recover Rs34.25 billion accumulated over previous years.
If approved, the proposed revisions would lead to a significant increase in gas tariffs for domestic and industrial users, compounding the pressure on households already grappling with high energy costs. The petitions were submitted shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the nationwide reopening of domestic gas connections — a decision he said was aimed at easing long-standing supply challenges and improving access to cleaner energy. Speaking at a ceremony, the Prime Minister highlighted that during the PDM government in 2022, gas shortages posed a major challenge, but the current administration had worked extensively to stabilise infrastructure and resume connections using high-quality RLNG.
As the winter gas schedule announced takes effect, households across Punjab and KP are expected to adjust their daily routines according to the revised timings, while the country awaits OGRA’s decision on the proposed tariff hikes that could heavily impact future energy costs.
