Winter woes: Protesters block Lehtrar Road against gas shortage

AC promises to mediate between them and SNGPL.

Hundreds of men, women and children, residents of Alipur Farash, a rural locality in the capital’s outskirts, blocked Lehtrar Road on Wednesday afternoon to protest gas shortage in their homes since the winter season began, according to a press statement.

The protesters refused to let a single vehicle pass during the protest and the impasse was eventually resolved when Assistant Commissioner (Rural) Bahadur Ali intervened and promised to mediate between them and the general manager of Sui Northern Gas Company Limited.

Speaking on the occasion, Awami Workers Party Secretary General Aasim Sajjad said basic utilities are denied to ordinary working people because they have no political clout. He pointed out that Alipur Farash is the site of a resettlement scheme for the capital’s katchi abadi residents who were moved there by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) almost a decade ago with the promise that they would be provided basic facilities. The promises have proven to be hollow which is why the only option left is to exercise the democratic right to protest, he added.

Local organiser Rukhsana Qazi said the capital city is home to some of the poorest people in the country and inequality is increasing over time. “CDA is primarily responsible because it runs the city like a dictatorship which is also proven by the fact that it is resisting the local body elections.” The protests will increase if this callous attitude remains unchanged, she added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2014.