Domestic consumers in Karachi increasingly complain that the natural gas supplied to households seems to contain excessive air or other non-combustible gases. Weak flames and longer cooking times suggest that the calorific value of the gas may be lower than expected. Since domestic gas meters measure only the volume of gas passing through them, regardless of composition, any significant presence of air or inert gases would still be recorded as gas consumption. This could result in consumers paying higher bills without receiving the corresponding heating value. Given the widespread nature of these complaints, the concerned authorities should conduct a transparent technical investigation to check gas composition and gas pressure at different distribution points. The results of such testing should be made public in order to reassure consumers and ensure accountability in the supply of domestic gas.
Dr Mohammad Saleem
Karachi
