PM Shehbaz Orders Winter Gas Plan, Domestic Consumers to Get Priority

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed authorities to prepare a comprehensive gas load-management plan for the upcoming winter, with domestic consumers set to receive priority in the allocation of locally produced gas.

The directives were issued during a high-level meeting on winter energy planning in Islamabad as the government prepares for the seasonal increase in gas demand.

Officials told the meeting that households would be prioritised for locally produced natural gas, while regasified liquefied natural gas, or RLNG, would primarily be directed towards electricity generation and industrial requirements.

The prime minister instructed relevant authorities to take necessary measures in advance rather than waiting for winter demand pressures to intensify.

He also directed officials to ensure continuity in gas imports in view of the prevailing regional situation and potential risks to energy supplies.

The government plans to launch a nationwide public awareness campaign explaining the winter gas management strategy and encouraging households to consider alternative energy sources.

Authorities are also working to maintain uninterrupted transmission of gas produced from reserves in Pakistan’s northern regions.

In another potential measure, officials told the meeting that a proposal to provide bank financing for electric water and space-heating appliances was under consideration.

Such financing could encourage households to shift some winter heating demand away from the natural gas network.

The meeting did not announce a final gas load-shedding timetable or specific supply hours for domestic consumers.

The latest planning comes amid concerns over Pakistan’s winter energy supplies and disruptions affecting imported LNG.

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik recently warned of the possibility of a winter gas shortage following disruptions to LNG supplies from Qatar, saying timely measures would be necessary to prevent difficulties for consumers.

Separate planning reported earlier this month indicated that authorities were considering procuring additional LNG cargoes for the November-to-February period as part of preparations for winter demand.

Pakistan typically experiences significantly higher household gas consumption during colder months as demand for water and space heating increases.

The country’s indigenous natural gas resources have also faced long-term depletion, increasing the importance of imported LNG and careful allocation of available supplies among households, power producers and industries.

Tuesday’s decision does not guarantee uninterrupted household gas supply throughout the winter. Instead, it establishes domestic consumers as the priority recipients of locally produced gas while the government develops the detailed load-management strategy.

Further information on supply schedules and implementation arrangements is expected once the winter plan is finalised.