Hell hath no fury: Housewives block traffic to protest gas loadshedding

FAISALABAD:

Hundreds of women and their children from Sargodha and Sheikhupura Road on Thursday staged a protest demonstration against unscheduled gas loadshedding.

The protestors blocked Bolay Di Jhuggi Chowk for traffic. Naseema Riaz, one of the protestors, said during winter SNGPL authorities had promised that the gas load shedding problem would go away in summer.

Another protestor, Raheela Imtiaz said due to non-availability of gas, especially in the morning and evening, they were unable to cook breakfast and dinners for their families.

She said lack of gas had been frustrating for their families. She said gas was also not available at school canteens and their children had to go without breakfast and lunch. The demonstrators chanted slogans against the SNGPL and demanded that the chief minister take notice of the situation and ensure uninterrupted gas supply for domestic consumers. On receipt of information, a heavy police contingent reached the spot and pacified the protestors by assuring them that their issued would be raised before higher authorities.

The demonstrators then called off their protest and dispersed peacefully.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2014.