Deadly gas blast triggers crackdown

The Rawalpindi district administration has imposed an immediate ban on illegal gas filling in cylinders and the sale of substandard and defective cylinders in Rawalpindi district.

The Rawalpindi deputy commissioner ordered a grand operation against all illegal gas cylinder agencies and vehicles using cylinder gas, including public transport buses, wagons, Suzuki vans, and taxis.

He also directed authorities to ensure immediate redressal of gas leakage complaints across the district.

Following the orders, Civil Defence and the Regional Transport Authority have formed teams that will, from Monday, January 12, issue challans and impound vehicles running on cylinder gas at transport terminals and checkpoints.

Civil Defence teams will also take action against illegal gas cylinder agencies and those selling substandard cylinders.

Director Rescue 1122 has issued strict safety instructions to citizens, advising them to use gas heaters and cylinder gas carefully at night. He urged residents to switch off Sui gas heaters and cylinder gas before sleeping, ensure there is no gas leakage at home, and turn off heaters and stoves before leaving the house.

Families travelling to Murree and Galiyat have been advised to use heaters and small gas cylinders in vehicles with caution, and to keep vehicle windows slightly open if heaters are in use.