Gas becomes a rarity in Ramazan

Residents of all major cities have to rely on exorbitantly priced LPG cylinders given the load shedding

PESHAWAR/ LAHORE/ KARACHI:

Despite provincial governments making promises of uninterrupted gas supply to household users during the month of Ramazan, gas has become a rarity in the Holy Month, which has led to residents relying on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders; resultantly, prices for LPG cylinders have increased.

Tired of the government’s false promises, the populace of the country has started relying on LPG gas cylinders to cook meals for sehri and iftar. This increase in demand has led to dealers of LPG cylinders to exploit the situation and overcharge for the cylinders, which has irked the populace.

One such individual is Shaan, who drives a motorcycle for a ride hailing company in Karachi. “A few days ago the price of a cylinder was Rs 200 but ever since Ramazan started the prices have increased to Rs 500,” bemoaned Shaan, who further complained that the price hike had ruined his monthly budgeting.

Concurring with Shaan, Asif Abbasi, another local, expressed his anger at the fact that the government had increased the price of gas manifold and was a silent spectator as the LPG cylinder mafia was busy profiteering.

Just like Karachiites, the residents of Lahore are similarly perturbed. Muhammad Ejaz, a resident of the city, asserted that the government’s assurances of uninterrupted supply of gas during Ramazan were false.

“The gas schedule given by the Sui Northern Gas Company is not being followed, as a result gas is non-existent. Moreover, people have installed illegal gas generators at their homes, which has exacerbated out plight,” regretted Ejaz. Muhammad Umair, whilst agreeing with Ejaz, opined that the government had left the populace to fend for themselves. “Since there is no gas, if we resort to using electricity, the bills are sky-high.

Read PM directs uninterrupted gas, power supply in Ramazan

The other alternative is LPG, which has also become exorbitantly expensive now. What should the people do?” Umair’s frustration is shared by Sakina, a housewife, who resides in Peshawar.

“The gas load shedding has made our lives difficult,” she remarked while talking to the Express Tribune. However, it is not just Sakina whose life has become miserable due to the lack of gas supply.

Zahra, another resident of the city, shares her plight. “Gas is sometimes available from 4 in the evening to 7 in the evening and if we are lucky it is also available from 4 in the morning to 7 in the morning.

However, with such a limited time slot, neither can we cook properly, nor can we make breakfast for the children, who are not fasting,” she explained.

“What has made matters worse are the high prices of LPG cylinders. One kilogram of LPG is retailing for Rs 350, which is out of reach for middle class families,” she added.

In light of the plight of the people, the Express Tribune also spoke to the LPG Distributors Association.
“The official price of LPG is Rs 257 per kilogram.

However, it is true that hoarders and profiteers are retailing LPG between Rs 300 and Rs 350,” conceded Irfan Khokhar, Chairman of the LPG Distributors Association of Pakistan. Sikandar Khan, an LPG dealer in Peshawar, also made a similar concession, while talking to the Express Tribune.

“Even though LPG prices have increased, it is true that dealers are engaging in profiteering due to the lack of supply of Sui gas,” said Khan.

Given Khokhar and Khan’s revelations, the Express Tribune inquired from the Spokesperson of the Sui Southern Gas Company, about the lack of uninterrupted gas supply during Ramazan. “We are doing our best to ensure supply of gas during sehri and iftar hours,” maintained the Spokesperson.