Thousands of applicants remain without connections despite paying additional fees, while restrictions reportedly extend to commercial consumers.
KARACHI, November 1, 2026: Pakistan has extended its ban on new domestic gas connections indefinitely as worsening supply shortages and disruptions to imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) continue to affect households and businesses across the country.
According to a private television report citing sources, the Sui gas utility has decided to maintain restrictions on new household connections rather than resume installations. The decision has left thousands of applicants waiting for gas supplies, including those who have already paid additional fees for expedited connections.
The restrictions have reportedly been expanded to commercial consumers from November, affecting hotels, traditional bread ovens (tandoors) and other businesses seeking new gas connections.
The development comes as Pakistan faces mounting pressure on its natural gas supply system, with disruptions to imported regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) contributing to a widening gap between demand and available supplies.
Thousands Await New Gas Connections Despite Additional Payments
The continued suspension of domestic gas connections has created uncertainty for applicants who have completed the required procedures and paid additional charges in anticipation of receiving gas supplies.
Sources cited in the report said thousands of consumers remain on waiting lists, with no confirmed timeline for the restoration of new connections.
The situation has become particularly difficult for households seeking gas connections ahead of the winter season, when demand for heating, cooking and other domestic requirements typically increases.
The reported suspension of new commercial connections has also raised concerns for businesses that depend on natural gas for their daily operations.
Hotels, tandoors and other commercial establishments seeking new connections are among those affected by the latest restrictions.
RLNG Supply Disruptions Add to Pakistan’s Gas Shortage
Disruptions to imported RLNG supplies have emerged as a major factor behind the country’s worsening gas availability, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Pakistan relies on both domestically produced natural gas and imported LNG to meet household, commercial and industrial demand.
When imported supplies are disrupted, pressure increases on the existing distribution network, particularly during periods of higher consumption.
Sources said the imbalance between gas demand and available supplies had widened, making it increasingly difficult for utilities to accommodate additional consumers.
The supply constraints have also affected existing customers, who are experiencing difficulties obtaining adequate gas during periods of increased demand.
Winter Demand Complicates Gas Supply Situation
The onset of colder weather has added to the challenges facing Pakistan’s gas distribution system.
Seasonal increases in household gas consumption have placed additional pressure on supplies already affected by import disruptions and limited availability.
With existing consumers facing supply difficulties, the possibility of restoring new domestic connections has become increasingly uncertain.
The situation has also created challenges for commercial consumers, particularly businesses that rely on uninterrupted gas supplies for cooking and other essential operations.
Petroleum Ministry Behind Restrictions, Say Gas Officials
Officials of the Sui gas utility said the decision to restrict new gas connections had been taken by the Ministry of Petroleum.
According to the officials, the restoration of new connections could depend on improvements in the regional situation, particularly an easing of tensions between Iran and the United States.
They indicated that the resumption of connections would become more likely once regional tensions subsided and gas supplies began returning to normal.
However, no specific date has been announced for lifting the restrictions.
When Will New Gas Connections Resume in Pakistan?
For now, applicants seeking new domestic and commercial gas connections face an indefinite wait.
The reported restrictions remain linked to the availability of gas supplies, disruptions affecting imported RLNG and the government’s assessment of the country’s energy requirements.
Although officials have suggested that improvements in regional conditions could help restore supplies, there is no confirmed timetable for resuming new connections.
Until supply conditions improve and the government authorises the restoration of services, thousands of applicants who have already paid connection charges may continue to face delays.