Zero gas pressure in parts of twin cities

Rawalpindi

The residents of several localities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are facing zero gas pressure for last four days and the related staff of Sui Northern Gas Supply Limited (SNGPL) have done nothing to rectify it despite the fact that the matter was brought into their notice several times.

The localities, which are severely hit by the problem, include PWD, Doctors’ Town, Pakistan Town, Police Foundation, Soan Garden, Korang Town, Police Foundation, Tench Bhatta, Khayaban Miran Baksh, Abadi No 1, 2 and 3 etc. The situation has perturbed the people of these areas forcing them to buy food from hotels,
which is an additional spending besides paying heavy gas bills.

Rafaqat Hussain, Talib Ahmed of Pakistan Town said people approached helpline 1199 for seeking help to get their grievance resolved. However, the staff of this helpline never bothered to take steps for resolving the matter which otherwise is their duty and prime responsibility.

Similarly, according to Riasat Shah, Makhdoom Malik, Wajid residents of Korang Town and Soan Garden, the affected people also tried to bring the matter into the notices of high-ups of the SNGPL, however, they allegedly did not attend
their phones despite repeated calls.

The residents have threatened to stage a protest demonstration outside the regional SNGPL offices of Rawalpindi and Islamabad if the gas shortage problem is not rectified within next twenty four hours. While demanding the concerned minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to take notice of the matter and get it resolved at the earliest, they also demanded action against the staff of 1199 who did not take up complaints properly when they are brought into their notices.

This scribe tried several times to contact General Managers Mohammad Zahoor and Chaudhry Ijaz, to get their comments on
the situation, but they did not pick up their mobile phones.

However, ‘The News’ learnt that the gas shortage problem has occurred in these localities because of work being carried out for the replacement of old and rusty gas pipelines.