As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, households across Sindh and Balochistan brace themselves for a time of spiritual reflection, fasting, and communal bonding. However, alongside the anticipation of this sacred period comes the practical concern of managing daily necessities—chief among them, a reliable gas supply. On February 26, 2025, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), the primary gas utility provider for southern Pakistan, unveiled its gas supply schedule for Ramadan, aiming to balance consumer needs with the country’s ongoing energy challenges. This proactive announcement, made just days before the expected start of Ramadan on March 1, reflects both the company’s commitment to facilitating its customers and the stark reality of Pakistan’s dwindling natural gas reserves. Let’s dive into what this schedule entails, why it matters, and how it will impact millions of households.
Understanding the SSGC Ramadan Gas Supply Schedule
The SSGC has outlined a structured plan to ensure gas availability during key meal preparation times—Sehri (the pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (the evening meal to break the fast). According to the official statement, gas will be supplied uninterrupted from 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM for Sehri and from 3:30 PM to 10:00 PM for Iftar. This translates to a total of 13 hours of daily gas access for consumers in Sindh and Balochistan. However, outside these windows, supply will be suspended: from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM and from 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM. These off-peak suspensions are part of what the SSGC calls “gas pressure profiling,” a strategy to manage distribution amid limited resources.
The company has emphasized that these timings were carefully designed to prioritize convenience during Ramadan, a month when meal preparation takes on heightened significance. “We’ve worked out this schedule to ensure our valued customers can prepare food for Sehri and Iftar without disruption,” an SSGC spokesperson noted. Yet, the announcement also comes with a sobering reminder: Pakistan’s gas reserves are depleting at an alarming rate of approximately 10% annually, widening the gap between supply and demand. This reality underpins the need for such a rationed schedule, even during a time as critical as Ramadan.
Why Gas Supply Matters During Ramadan
Ramadan is more than just a period of fasting from dawn to dusk; it’s a time when families come together, meals are shared, and culinary traditions are celebrated. In Pakistan, where gas is the backbone of most household kitchens, its availability directly affects daily life. From frying pakoras for Iftar to simmering haleem or brewing tea for Sehri, gas powers the rituals that make Ramadan special. For millions of low- and middle-income families who lack access to alternative cooking methods like electric stoves or LPG cylinders, an interrupted gas supply can turn a month of joy into one of frustration.
The SSGC’s decision to prioritize Sehri and Iftar hours reflects an understanding of these cultural and practical needs. By ensuring gas during these peak times, the company aims to minimize inconvenience for fasting households. However, the 11 hours of daily suspension—split into two blocks—raises questions about how families will cope during the remaining hours, especially those with young children, elderly members, or individuals exempt from fasting due to health reasons.
The Bigger Picture: Pakistan’s Gas Crisis
To fully grasp the significance of this schedule, it’s essential to look at the broader context of Pakistan’s energy landscape. The SSGC operates in Sindh and Balochistan, serving over 3 million domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers. Its primary role is the transmission and distribution of natural gas, a resource that has long been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s energy mix. Yet, the country’s gas reserves—once abundant—are now shrinking rapidly. Experts attribute this decline to over-extraction, lack of new discoveries, and insufficient investment in exploration and infrastructure.
The 10% annual depletion rate cited by SSGC is a stark indicator of this crisis. As reserves dwindle, the gap between supply and demand grows, forcing utilities like SSGC to implement load management plans. During winter months, when heating demands surge, gas shortages become even more pronounced, but Ramadan presents its own unique challenge. Unlike winter, when gas is needed round-the-clock, Ramadan’s demand spikes are concentrated around meal times, making a tailored schedule both feasible and necessary.
How the Schedule Compares to Previous Years
This isn’t the first time SSGC has issued a Ramadan-specific gas schedule. In 2024, for instance, the company followed a similar pattern, providing gas from 3:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM, with suspensions during off-peak hours. That year, too, consumers in Sindh and Balochistan had access to gas for only 13 hours daily. While the consistency might suggest stability, it also highlights a lack of progress in addressing the underlying shortage. Consumer feedback from past years has been mixed—some appreciate the predictability, while others lament the inconvenience of limited hours.
One notable difference in 2025 is the timing of Ramadan itself. Falling in late February and March, this year’s holy month coincides with milder weather compared to the scorching summers of previous years. This could reduce overall gas demand, as fewer households rely on it for heating. However, the persistent supply constraints mean that even this seasonal advantage hasn’t translated into a more generous schedule.
Consumer Reactions and Coping Strategies
The announcement has sparked a range of reactions among consumers. For some, the assurance of gas during Sehri and Iftar is a relief, offering a semblance of normalcy during a demanding month. “At least we know when to expect it,” said Ayesha, a homemaker from Karachi. “I can plan my cooking around these hours.” Others, however, see the suspensions as a burden. “What about lunch for the kids or tea in the afternoon?” asked Imran, a father of three from Quetta. “Not everyone fasts, and we still need gas throughout the day.”
To adapt, many households are likely to turn to alternatives. Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, while costlier, have become a lifeline for those who can afford them. Electric hotplates and stoves are another option, though Pakistan’s frequent power outages—despite assurances from Sindh’s Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to avoid load-shedding during Ramadan—could limit their reliability. For the less fortunate, wood or kerosene stoves may resurface, posing safety and health risks in urban settings.
Government and SSGC Efforts: A Balancing Act
The SSGC isn’t operating in isolation. The Sindh government has directed electricity providers to avoid power cuts during Sehri and Iftar, signaling a coordinated effort to ease Ramadan hardships. Chief Minister Shah’s directive, issued during a price control meeting, underscores the political sensitivity of utility services during this period. Yet, the gas crisis requires more than short-term fixes. Long-term solutions—such as boosting domestic production, importing LNG, or shifting to renewable energy—remain elusive amid economic constraints and policy inertia.
For its part, SSGC has framed the schedule as a pragmatic response to an intractable problem. By prioritizing peak hours and conducting pressure profiling during low-demand periods, the company aims to stretch its limited resources as far as possible. It’s a delicate balancing act, one that reflects the broader challenge of meeting modern energy needs with an outdated infrastructure.
What Lies Ahead for Ramadan 2025
As Ramadan nears, the SSGC’s schedule will shape daily routines across Sindh and Balochistan. For some, it’s a minor inconvenience in a month of spiritual focus; for others, it’s a reminder of systemic failures. The Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has predicted that the Ramadan moon will emerge on February 28 at 5:45 PM PST, though sighting may be unlikely that evening due to astronomical factors. If confirmed, Ramadan could begin on March 1, giving households just days to prepare.
In the end, the SSGC’s gas supply schedule is more than a logistical plan—it’s a window into Pakistan’s energy struggles and the resilience of its people. As families gather for Iftar and rise for Sehri, they’ll navigate these constraints with the same adaptability that defines life in this vibrant nation. Whether through careful planning, alternative fuels, or sheer patience, they’ll ensure that the spirit of Ramadan endures, gas or no gas.
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