Gas shortfall coupled with supply to Punjab and Balochistan has lead to the ongoing gas crisis in Sindh, informed Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) officials. As per details, SSGC faces a gas shortfall of 70MMCFD, informed Saeed Ahmed Lark, senior general manager of Distribution Division. The SSGC official informed that under previous agreement some portion of gas is being supplied to Punjab and Balochistan. “Approximately 190-195 MMCFD gas is being supplied to Quetta and its surrounding areas,” he said. The Saeed Ahmad Lark added that this year the supply of gas is facing a decline this year. Previously SSGC was receiving 1120 MMCFD gas, whereas, currently the company is receiving around 1150-1160MMCFD gas. SSGC official said the gas problem in Sindh would end in January, after the induction of 40MMCFD gas into the system from Rehman gas fields. “We are expecting to receive this gas by 6th or 7th of January,” he said. He informed that the number of domestic users of SSGC is 3 million, which is increasing by one hundred thousand every year. Earlier, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Affairs Nadeem Babar has blamed the rising gas demand and extended winter spell behind the ongoing gas shortfall in the country. The SAPM said that the demand for natural gas is rising, which leads to a shortfall in winter as demand for heating increase. “The domestic demand has been rising, whereas the supply is unable to meet the gap,” he said. The gas shortage in South is approximately 100 to 150mmcf, informed SAPM. He said that the ministry is engaged with the Sindh government to give them the right-of-way. Talking about the gas crisis in North, Nadeem said that due to severe winter this year the SNGPL is giving 1225mmcf of gas to the domestic sector, as compared to 831mmcf gas provided on average last winter.