Gas shortage hits metropolis

Petroleum dealers threaten strike after failed negotiations with govt

LAHORE:

As the winter set in, complaints of acute gas shortage are on the rise in the provincial capital. Besides gas crisis, petroleum products shortage is also about to hit the metropolis as petroleum dealers have given call for nationwide strike over the issue of dealers’ commission, The Express Tribune learnt on Monday.

Citizens from different areas of the provincial capital, especially from congested neighbourhoods, complained that there was unscheduled natural gas loadshedding in their localities

Rabia Saad, a housewife, pointed out that hardly for an hour or two gas is available and that with very low pressure in her locality. It has become really difficult for housewives to cook food, she added.

Another citizen, Nadeen Ahmad, said tariffs of both gas and electricity have been multiplied during past couple of years but neither consumers get electricity in summer nor gas in winter. Petroleum products rate have also been jacked up to unprecedented levels and now consumers are being told that there would be no fuel from Thursday as petrol pumps have decided to give on strike in favour of their demands. All filling stations have displayed banners warning consumers about strike, he maintained.

Similarly, residents of Sector A-2 Township complained that there was no gas in stoves in their area for past two week. Citizens are forced to buy expensive LPG or firewood.

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Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said all attempts of negotiation with the government to revise dealers commission have failed.

“The government has left no other option for us but to close down our businesses since the final deadline of November 17 has already passed.”

He disclosed that five rounds of negation have been held with the government but in vain. Every time the government accepts that dealers’ demands are justified but it never keeps its promise. “Now we have been left no option but to call strike,” he maintained.

Responding to question, PPDA chairman estimated that increase in dealers commission would add petrol rate by around Rs2.5 per liter.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd, 2021.