Gas woes

The question of what makes news is determined everywhere by the media. This ‘agenda setting’ determines what is discussed at various forums and which matters are considered significant. The role is a powerful one. For the last three weeks or so, protests have been staged almost daily, blocking GT Road, by residents of towns scattered across Punjab. They complain that, for days, there has been no gas in homes, making it impossible to cook or keep warm. This is no trivial matter as northern Punjab is facing a bitterly cold winter, but the issue has received only the most sporadic media attention. Perhaps this is seen as something to be expected given that they happen every year.

While roadside eateries do a roaring business, the pockets of people empty faster than ever. Money goes out on buying gas cylinders which, in smaller towns, are now being sold in the black. There are many implications attached to this state of affairs. Even giant cities like Lahore and Faisalabad are badly affected.

What is most disturbing, however, is the governments indifference to the plight of these people. Their representatives seem not to have bothered to inquire into their complaints or offer a few words of solace. Even such demonstrations of concern offer people some relief. At present, there is a sense only of hopelessness and anger. The Punjab government, after accusing the centre of staging a conspiracy against it, has, to some degree, addressed the concerns of industrial consumers but it has ignored the domestic sector. Sui Northern says no gas loadshedding is taking place as far as domestic supply goes. But there is no gas coming through the pipes. The condition of these people deserves to be given far greater attention. The crisis, from their perspective, is still more acute than the political turmoil we stand in the midst of.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2011.