The federal government is considering a significant diversion of domestic natural gas supplies to the power sector to help contain electricity tariff increases and reduce the risk of severe loadshedding during the upcoming summer season.

According to a report by Dawn, gas supply to power generation is expected to at least double to around 160–170 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) by late April or early May, up from the current 85–90 mmcfd. An additional 20–25 mmcfd may also be shifted from the compressed natural gas (CNG) sector, subject to managing political and sectoral pressure.

Federal Power Minister Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has reportedly warned that failure to replace reduced imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies with additional domestic gas could lead to sharp increases in electricity tariffs or widespread loadshedding.

Officials said the government is also examining the possibility of diverting gas from domestic consumers, a move that could impact more than seven million households and is expected to face political resistance. The minister is said to have highlighted the trade-off between potential unrest among gas users and the needs of nearly 30 million electricity consumers.

Supply to the fertilizer sector is expected to be largely protected due to concerns over urea availability and the risk of price distortions and smuggling stemming from the gap between local and imported fertilizer prices.

The Power Division has also cautioned that fuel cost adjustments could rise sharply in May if reliance on furnace oil and diesel increases. Officials warned that without regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG), about 5,000 megawatts of efficient generation capacity in Punjab could become significantly more expensive to operate.

In this scenario, authorities expect average daily loadshedding of two to three hours, particularly during evening and night hours when solar generation declines and demand peaks.