DERA GHAZI KHAN City News

DG Khan, Taunsa residents face hours

long gas loadshedding

From Hasnain Qaisrani

DERA GHAZI KHAN: The domestic consumers are facing hours long loadshedding of gas in Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa Sharif as the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) is allegedly giving preference to the commercial and industrial consumers.

The consumers alleged that the SNGPL officials were hardly providing gas for three hours in 24 hours in the summer when its demand was very low. They said that the situation was forcing them to use the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which was very costly. The domestic consumers in most parts of the city said that gas was provided for around an hour in the morning for breakfast and for around two hours in the night for dinner. The domestic consumers said that they paid average bill of gas of around Rs 500 to Rs 600 per month but the use of LPG cylinders was costing them over Rs 2,000, which was a financial burden on them. They said that gas to Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa Sharif was provided from Dhodak and Rhodo gas fields located in the tribal area of Dera Ghazi Khan district. They have demanded the SNGPL high-ups ensure uninterrupted gas supply for 24 hours.

When contacted, an official of the SNGPL said that gas was not being provided as per the demand while its bulk supply was being provided to the industry and other commercial units on the directions of the higher authorities.