Gas shortage, costly alternatives hit city life

Complaints of acute gas shortage and the high cost of alternative fuels are on the rise in the provincial capital. Residents from different areas of the metropolis staged a protest against the gas utility company and an increase in liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and firewood rates on Tuesday.

They shouted slogans against the utility company and the government for making false promises of supplying natural gas to domestic consumers during cooking time. A resident of Township, Muhammad Anis, highlighted that gas supply had been suspended in their neighbourhood for two weeks.

Despite repeated complaints to the gas utility company the issue still persists owing to the negligence of the authorities. “There is no gas in the stove but the company is sending us inflated bills,” he complained. Another citizen, Sheikh Kaleem, pointed out that LPG rate had also been increase by Rs10 per kg.

Firewood rates were also increasing rapidly. The government had failed to ensure gas supply to domestic consumers but it could control prices of LPG and firewood.

It had become very difficult for common citizens to make both ends meet. The government should pay attention to basic problems. He pointed out that after an increase of Rs10 per kg, the price of domestic 11-kg LPG cylinder is being sold for Rs2,439 which was Rs2,320 last month