Rawalpindi city relies heavily on gas cylinders

Rawalpindi : As bone-chilling cold sweeps the country. Rawalpindi faces a similar plight. Winter’s grip intensifies, affecting both the atmosphere and daily life. Moderate to thick fog occurs in the morning hours.

“In our area, a mild cold wave is sweeping. Weather remains dry with a partly cloudy sky. The gas crisis has particularly hit the city hard, as people are facing acute food shortages as they are unable to cook,” says Dr. Fatima Batool.

“The people of Rawalpindi city are relying heavily on gas cylinders after the gas supply suspension. SNGPL officials could not provide any specific information regarding when the supply will be restored to ease the city dwellers’ suffering,” says Zegham Abbas, an engineer. “As the gas supply was suspended without any prior notice, residents fell into a deep crisis in conducting their household chores. As many could not cook food, long queues have been seen in front of eateries since morning,” says Darian Haider.

“After several hours of extreme cold, residents experience some sunlight. The chill of winter persists despite the minor rise in temperature,” says Raza Mehdi.

“The gas crisis has particularly hit the city hard, as people are facing acute food shortages as they are unable to cook. We hope the concerned department will fix the problem. Work is currently underway and gas supply restoration is evident in certain areas. However, there is a noticeable reduction in gas pressure,” says Shakir Hussain.

“With no gas coming into the city, many have resorted to eating out, leading to crowded eateries and roadside food stalls. Some reports indicate price hikes, with vendors charging extra under the pretext of using cylinder gas for cooking,” says Nade Ali. “There is no gas in the stove even for two hours during the whole day. Now completely closed. It was not even at night. I had to eat rice from the hotel. Many are using electric stoves and rice cookers. They had to eat dry food without any other option,” Advocate Shabbir Ali, a resident of Gulzar-e-Quaid in the city.

“I have never experienced such suffering. The gas supply in the whole of the city is the same. A little bit of gas has come, I have done some work with it, I am thinking about how to eat at night,” says Ali Akbar, a resident of Faisal Colony.

“I had to spend Rs210 to buy biryani which usually costs Rs.110 from a hotel. Even if they take extra money, we have to survive somehow,” says Zain ul Abideen, a private company official on condition of anonymity.

“On Sundays, offices remain closed. So we prepare less breakfast. However, due to the lack of gas, people are queuing up. We are cooking lunch with gas cylinders,” says Shamsul Hussain, owner of Quetta Cafe at Dhoke Hafiz intersection.