Govt to shut down CNG stations nationwide for December, January

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has decided to shut down CNG stations nationwide from December 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, as part of its gas load management strategy.

This move aims to ensure a continuous supply of natural gas to domestic consumers during the winter months. The Ministry of Petroleum announced that CNG stations will be closed to manage the gas supply effectively, and the gas supply will also be halted for industries that generate electricity from gas during this period.

Industries across all provinces that rely on gas for electricity generation or have captive power plants will face gas supply interruptions and will need to rely on electricity provided by utility companies.

The decision was made due to the annual production of natural gas experiencing a decline of five percent. Despite ongoing gas production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Sindh, CNG stations in both provinces will remain closed throughout the first two months of winter.

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has been instructed to issue orders to shut down CNG stations and disconnect their gas connections.

Earlier this year, the federal government requested the K-P government to assist SNGPL in implementing its Winter Gas Load Management Plan. The energy ministry emphasized the urgency of suspending gas supply to the CNG sector to prioritize household gas supply during the peak winter season.

This decision has caused frustration among the public, particularly affecting transport services reliant on gas. Many public transport vehicles were off the roads as gas stations remained closed.

The government’s move is intended to manage the increased demand during “peak winters” and prevent severe gas depletion and low pressure across the system.