KARACHI: In a stark announcement on Friday, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC-LPG) issued a cautionary alert to stakeholders, signaling a potential shortage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) during the impending winter season.

The gas company underscored the imperative for stakeholders to proactively book LPG shipments in advance, shedding light on the looming crisis.

The scarcity of dollars, coupled with the closure of Letter of Credits (LCs), has become a significant impediment to the import of LPG.

SSGC-LPG has formally communicated the pressing matter to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Ministry of Finance, expressing concerns about the urgency to reopen LCs to facilitate the pre-booking of LPG shipments.

Compounding the predicament, the closed LCs are also causing operational challenges in the unloading process at Port Qasim. This multifaceted issue poses a considerable threat to the seamless supply chain of LPG, warranting immediate attention and intervention from relevant authorities.

As winter approaches, the potential LPG shortage raises concerns about the impact on consumers and industries dependent on this essential energy source. The SSGC proactive warning serves as a call to action for coordinated efforts to address the root causes and ensure a stable LPG supply during the critical winter months.