KARACHI:
Most of the people in the country, especially those belong to Sindh province, impatiently look forward to winters after enduring an overstretched period of summer. The winter season is welcomed as it provides people with a break from the extremely hot weather and high humidity levels. However, the ongoing gas crisis across the country has made an otherwise longed-for winter season another predicament for most people.
At present, most parts of the country are facing a severe gas shortage, affecting the people in multiple ways. Irregular outages have made it impossible for people to cook at home. And since restaurants, tea shops and hotels have raised prices of food, many people can no longer afford meals from food vendors either. Industrial and transport sectors have also been affected by the gas shortage. Industries have had to halt production processes — something which is having a grave impact on the country’s output.
Many people have resorted to the use of gas cylinders, which is not only dangerous but costlier as well. The skyrocketing prices of gas cylinders in the wake of the increased demand are adding to the financial problems of the people. According to reports, Pakistan is on the verge of a massive gas shortage because of a depletion of natural gas reserves. Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has also insisted on the same during a recent press conference. The government needs to make timely arrangements to combat the gas crisis and ensure adequate supply to domestic and commercial consumers.
Anees Soomro
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2021.
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