Domestic difficulties: Residents protest against SNGPL over low gas supply

Housewives say it has become impossible to cook breakfast, lunch.

FAISALABAD: Hundreds of residents of Ghulam Muhammadabad and Rehmatabad on Monday staged a protest demonstration against the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) over low gas pressure in their localities.

The protesters gathered at the SNGPL office on Sargodha Road and chanted slogans against SNGPL authorities.

The protesters, mostly women and children, were carrying cooking utensils.

Talking to newsmen, Hameeda Bibi, said, “We are facing innumerable difficulties because of poor gas supply.”

She said mothers had been unable to prepare breakfast for their school-going children. She said they returned home for lunch, there was still no gas supply.

She said restaurants and roti-makers had doubled their prices.

Aamir Khan, another protester, said residents had filed dozens of complaints to the SNGPL but no action had been taken to address their problem.

The protesters also blocked Faisalabad-Sargodha Road for traffic.

On receipt of information, a heavy police contingent headed by Sargodha Road station house officer (SHO) reached the scene and pacified the protesters by assuring them that their issue would be taken up by the SNGPL authorities.

The protesters negotiated with the police team and then dispersed from the scene peacefully.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2014.