Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the ongoing disruptions in gas supply during the crucial hours of sehri and iftar in the holy month of Ramadan.
In response to complaints about low gas pressure and interruptions in service, the prime minister convened an urgent meeting with senior officials from both Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to discuss immediate solutions.
Following the meeting, SSGC announced a 10% increase in gas pressure to improve delivery during peak hours.
To further ensure smooth service, gas supply to areas at the end of the distribution networks will now start 30 to 45 minutes earlier, before sehri and iftar, to address pressure issues in those regions.
In a bid to monitor the situation more effectively, SSGC has also established control rooms at both its head office and regional offices. These control rooms will oversee the daily gas supply situation, ensuring that any complaints related to low pressure are swiftly addressed.
Meanwhile, SNGPL has assured the public that it will comply with the prime minister’s directives, guaranteeing a consistent gas supply during the key times of sehri and iftar.
The company has urged people to report any problems via the 1199 helpline for prompt resolution.
Separately, PM Shehbaz directed both the federal and provincial authorities to ensure that essential food items are provided to the public at reasonable prices throughout the month of Ramadan.
While chairing a meeting in Lahore regarding the sugar supply and its price regulation, the premier urged the development of a comprehensive strategy to make food items more affordable for the common man.
PM Shehbaz stressed the need for rigorous action against the smuggling and hoarding of sugar, pointing out that the government's recent efforts in tackling sugar smuggling had yielded positive results.
He reaffirmed that ensuring the availability of sugar and other key food items at fair prices is a matter of utmost importance for the government.
During the meeting, officials provided an update on the sugar production situation, reassuring everyone that the country currently has an ample supply of sugar.
The meeting was briefed that to make sugar more accessible, a network of fair price shops has been established across various provinces, offering the commodity at affordable rates.
On the occasion, provincial chief secretaries assured that strict measures would be implemented against sugar hoarding, with local authorities monitoring the situation closely to prevent any disruptions in the supply.