Gas shortage infuriates consumers in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: The gas crisis in most parts of the provincial capital has deepened as the worst cold wave has hit parts of the country in the last few days.

There is no gas for cooking, heating rooms and water in many areas of the provincial capital, including the Kohat Road, Ring Road areas. Tens of thousands of people suffer due to the situation after Peshawar and many parts of the province have been hit severely by an unprecedented cold wave. The locals have criticized the elected MNAs and MPAs for their failure to overcome the gas and power issue.

Protests by the angry consumers are increasing in various parts of the affected areas of Peshawar. The people even blocked the busy Dilazak Road and gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club but that failed to wake up the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) officials to resolve the issue.

Many announced to stage more protests on the main roads against the elected members as well as the SNGPL for its failure to provide gas to the domestic consumers on priority basis.

"The gas is not even available for cooking the food. The heaters and geysers are switched off permanently for no gas in the pipelines," said Dr Shaukat Ali, a resident of Garhi Qamardin on Kohat Road.

He added the situation further worsened with the power breakdown from 8am to 3pm for four days a week. Many residents said they talked to the junior officials and they said there was enough gas available but the authorities were taking measures to overcome line losses through stopping the flow of gas to domestic consumers.

Many said that the gas crisis was only because of the incompetence of the relevant officials who have failed to properly distribute the supply to different parts of the city. "I registered a complaint with them, no doubt team arrived but my problem is still there," said a consumer Meer Ishtiaq Ahmad. There are feelings that this is either the failure of the governments in center and provinces or the elements in Pesco and SNGPL are creating crisis only to make the public turn against the government.