No roti, no naan: Karachi families burn in anger as their stoves stop burning amid gas crisis in Pakistan's largest city

Karachi residents are facing severe hardship as unannounced gas load-shedding continues for the second straight week. Many households wake up to find no gas for cooking breakfast, forcing them to rely on alternative arrangements or skip meals altogether. With gas vanishing without warning, long queues have formed outside bakeries and LPG shops. Staples like roti and naan are in high demand, and many families are now eating out or cooking in shifts. Women, who handle most household cooking, are bearing the heaviest burden.

Muhammad Akhtar, a resident of Sultanabad, told reporters, as quoted by TOI, he waited half an hour at an LPG outlet only to be told the cylinders would arrive late. “It is frustrating,” he said. “Can’t the gas utility manage their schedules properly so we can prepare ourselves?”

Students and daily routines disrupted

The crisis is also affecting students preparing for exams. With gas, power, and water shortages hitting simultaneously, many are finding it difficult to maintain their study routines.

SSGC denies major disruption

As per TOI, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has rejected claims of widespread disruption during meal times. In a statement, the utility said gas supply was maintained for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with system pressure at optimal levels. It added that it was balancing limited resources to meet the needs of the power and fertiliser sectors for food security.

Political leaders slam SSGC and Sindh government

Opposition leaders have strongly criticised both SSGC and the Sindh government. Ali Khurshidi of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan called the persistent outages a sign of inefficiency that is adding to the burden of inflation-hit citizens, as per TOI.

PTI’s Fauzia Siddiqui described the gas crisis, quoted by TOI, along with inflated bills and shortages of water and electricity, as proof of “gross incompetence and anti-people policies.” She pointed out that Karachi contributes nearly 65% of the country’s revenue but continues to face basic infrastructure failures.

Calls for urgent action

Leaders have demanded immediate restoration of uninterrupted gas supply and urgent rehabilitation of the gas network. For now, many Karachi families continue to adjust their routines — cooking in shifts, relying on roadside eateries, or using alternative fuels — while hoping the situation improves soon.

(With TOI inputs)