KARACHI:
In the holy month of Ramazan, there is prolonged gas load-shedding in Karachi resulting in the disruption of our daily lives. We are unable to follow an appropriate daily routine because most of the time is lost in unscheduled chores that demand gas supply, mainly cooking. This disables women to properly focus on prayers and worship during Ramazan because in large families, they are overwhelmed by the worries of cooking food for their families and serving it on time.
Moreover, a local business that depends on gas for its viability is also affected. Restaurants, bakeries and other manufacturing units are forced to halt their production or increase sustained costs by switching to more expensive fuel sources, which ultimately affects the prices that consumers have to pay for their goods and services.
Gas load-shedding affects the overall economic growth and development because it discourages investors and businesses from being self-constituted, leading to a negative impact on employment opportunities.
I urge the relevant authorities to promptly implement efficient measures to tackle this pressing issue and guarantee a seamless and uninterrupted gas supply. Additionally, I appeal to the authorities to prioritise the allocation of resources towards the upgrading and modernisation of the infrastructure associated with gas distribution.
Farzeen Shabbir
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2024.
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