Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has extended its ban on new domestic gas connections indefinitely amid worsening shortages and supply disruptions, sources said.

Sources said the suspension also covers commercial connections, including those for tandoors and hotels, from this month.

Thousands of consumers still await connections despite paying urgent processing fees, sources added.

They said disruptions in regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supplies had worsened the situation. The gas shortfall in the existing distribution network had also increased.

Gas demand has surged with the onset of winter. This has made it harder for SNGPL to maintain supplies to existing domestic consumers.

Despite rising demand, the company has decided to continue the suspension of new domestic connections indefinitely.

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Gas company officials said the Petroleum Ministry ordered the ban. They added that SNGPL would likely resume new connections only after the Iran-US conflict ends.