CNG stations in Sindh may be exempted from March 16: cut in gas loadshedding duration likely in Punjab

The government is likely to reduce the duration of gas load-shedding for CNG station in Punjab from three to two days per week, while CNG stations in Sindh would be exempted from load-shedding from March 16.
According to sources in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, an important meeting with all the stakeholders including All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA), Sui-Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) and Sui-Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) is scheduled on March 15 to review present gas load management plan.
Sources said that after improvement in the weather the use of natural gas by domestic sector has significantly reduced. "After March 16 we will be in a position to restore gas supply to industries, Fertilizer and all other sectors due to better gas supply situation and low demand by the domestic sector," a senior official of the Petroleum Ministry said.
The official said that this year about one billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) gas would be added to the system, resultantly 50 percent gas load-shedding would be reduced.
"At present gas supply to Fertilizer sector is most important as the Kharif crop season has been started and in the season three most important crops paddy, cotton and sugarcane along with other crops are being cultivated in the country," official added. He said the Ministry was also trying to restore gas supply to the textile industry of Punjab so that the country could achieve exports target.